New Delhi [India], December 23 (ANI): Ahead of the second season of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL), Ranchi Royals are making ready to hit the bottom working for a contemporary problem as they start their marketing campaign in their very own yard, as per a launch.
After retaining the likes of Neha Goyal, Ishika Chaudhay and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, the staff made some key additions to their ranks on the mini-auction that was held in September. Royals go into the present season with two Indian goalkeepers within the facet. Madhuri Kindo will likely be anticipated to contribute off the bench just like the earlier season, whereas the addition of the nationwide staff goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam strengthens their first line of defence.
In their backline, Ranchi Royals boast a stable mixture of skilled Indian gamers and proficient worldwide stars. Nikki Pradhan (197 senior caps for India) and Ishika Chaudhary (76 senior caps for India) will likely be anticipated to be their pillars within the defence, alongside the Argentine duo of Lucina von der Heyde and Maria Sofia Darnay Elias.
Netherlands’ Sabine Plonissen is one other notable addition to the squad, whereas Lalthantluangi, who made her mark for India on the not too long ago held FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, will even be a part of the facet.
Neha Goyal, an ever-present within the Indian ladies’s setup will marshal the midfield alongside Argentina’s two-time Olympic medallist Agostina Alonso. The Argentine received the silver medal on the Tokyo Olympics in 2022 and the bronze medal on the Paris Olympics in 2024, and can add loads of endeavour and stability in the midst of the park for the Royals.
Maria Paula Ortiz additionally comes into the staff with loads of expertise, whereas Nandni will even be desirous to make her mark after representing India on the not too long ago concluded FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. Young Indian midfielder Albela Rani Toppo will even be a part of the facet for the upcoming season.
On the attacking entrance, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal will hope to select up from the place she left off, after scoring a match-winning brace within the last final season. Agustina Albertario, one other two-time Olympic medallist with Argentina, will lead the entrance line alongside New Zealand’s Hannah Cotter and India’s Deepika Soreng.
Two of India’s younger stars and Jharkhand’s very personal, Beauty Dung Dung and Sangita Kumari will likely be representing their dwelling franchise within the upcoming season. Alongside these two exceptionally proficient gamers, Ranchi Royals’ ahead line will even encompass Sakshi Rana, who impressed on the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, scoring three objectives for India. The teenager will wish to show her goalscoring prowess in opposition to among the greatest gamers on the earth.
With a number of native gamers of their ranks, Ranchi Royals will look to rally the assist of their passionate dwelling crowd, who might show to be pivotal in shut contests. The squad has a positive mix of worldwide expertise and youthful power, including depth throughout all departments with assist from a secure defensive unit and an attacking line-up filled with confirmed finishers that would assist them go the space.
The staff should still be over-reliant on its worldwide and skilled gamers to contribute when it comes to objectives from midfield. Adapting to the league and the excessive degree of depth might show to be a problem, particularly for his or her younger ahead line.
With this revitalised squad, Ranchi Royals will likely be hoping they will script one other memorable season within the Women’s Hockey India League. The event will start on December 28 with the hosts Ranchi Royals taking over the SG Pipers within the opening sport.
Ranchi Royals squad: Bichu Devi Kharibam, Madhuri Kindo, Ishika Chaudhary, Nikki Pradhan, Lalthantluangi, Maria Sofia Darnay Elias (Argentina), Lucina von der Heyde (Argentina), Sabine Plonissen (Netherlands), Neha Goyal, Nandni, Maria Paula Ortiz (Argentina), Agostina Alonso (Argentina), Albela Rani Toppo, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Deepika Soreng, Beauty Dung Dung, Sangita Kumari, Sakshi Rana, Agustina Albertario (Argentina), Hannah Cotter (New Zealand). (ANI)