New Delhi [India], December 25 (ANI): After ending third within the inaugural season of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL), Shrachi Bengal Tigers shall be decided to make their mark within the upcoming version of the event, which begins on December 28, as per a launch.
Having retained the likes of Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Mahima Choudhary, and Jennifer Rizzo, the staff constructed a steady core earlier than splashing cash on the mini-auctions. Shrachi Bengal Tigers signed Agustina Gorzelany for Rs 42 lakhs, making her the most costly participant on the public sale, whereas additionally buying the companies of Monika for Rs 15 lakh, making her the most costly Indian participant on the public sale. With tactical signings to align with their contemporary setup, the staff shall be aiming for the last word prize in season two of the Women’s Hero HIL.
Jennifer Rizzo is predicted to take the lead of their goalkeeping division with the 28-year-old USA star having already been a part of the franchise within the earlier season. Alongside her, younger Indian goalkeeper Aditi Maheshwari, who was a part of the Indian Women’s Gold medal-winning staff on the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024, shall be seeking to achieve some worthwhile expertise.
In defence, all eyes shall be on the Argentine duo Agustina Gorzelany and Valentina Raposo. The pair, who have been a part of Argentina’s silver medal-winning aspect on the Tokyo Olympics in 2022 and the Bronze medal-winning staff on the Paris Olympics in 2024, shall be trusted with guaranteeing the Shrachi Bengal Tigers’ backline stays watertight.
Alongside the two-time Olympic medallists, Gurjit Kaur will carry her expertise to the staff, having represented India on the senior stage 137 instances, whereas additionally posing a purpose risk with 146 objectives in these matches. Youngsters Mahima Choudhary and Puja Sahoo full the backline, including youthful exuberance to the setup.
In the center of the park, Monika prepares to make her debut within the league after being unsold within the earlier version, and will show to be a giant increase for the staff. With 229 senior caps for India, she’ll add loads of expertise in midfield, as will Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, who has 252 senior caps and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal to her title.
Noor de Baat from the Netherlands, recognized for her immaculate talent stage having represented her nation on the senior stage in indoor, outside and Hockey5s codecs, might show to be a dynamic addition to the squad. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Emma Findlay (26 senior appearances) and Manisha Chauhan (22 senior appearances) spherical up the midfield for Shrachi Bengal Tigers.
The ahead line options the vastly skilled veteran and Padma Shri awardee Vandana Katariya, who has 320 appearances for India – the file for many caps in Indian ladies’s hockey. Meanwhile, Lalremsiami (177 caps for India) additionally provides her know-how to the staff, having gained the Youth Olympic Games Silver medal in 2018 and a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal in 2022.
The staff additionally has a mixture of proficient younger forwards, which options Sukhveer Kaur and Purnima Yadav, who’re coming into the event on the again of their expertise on the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup and Lalrinpuii, who performed within the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in 2024.
Argentina’s Victoria Manuele and Netherlands’ Sosha Benninga are different notable additions to the squad, together with Madhya Pradesh ahead Anjali Gautam, who’s tipped to be one of many rising stars in Indian ladies’s hockey.
Former males’s Indian hockey legend and Arjuna Award winner, Deepak Thakur shall be on the helm as Head Coach for Shrachi Bengal Tigers within the upcoming season. The staff will play their opening recreation of the event in opposition to JSW Soorma Hockey Club on twenty ninth December in Ranchi.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers Squad: Jennifer Rizzo (USA), Aditi Maheshwari, Agustina Gorzelany (Argentina), Valentina Raposo (Argentina), Gurjit Kaur, Puja Sahoo, Mahima Choudhary, Monika, Manisha Chauhan, Noor de Baat (Netherlands), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Emma Findlay (New Zealand), Purnima Yadav, Sukhveer Kaur, Anjali Gautam, Victoria Manuele (Argentina), Sosha Benninga (Netherlands), Lalrinpuii, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya. (ANI)