Surendra Soren
Ranchi
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams have departed from Bengaluru for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14 to 30. The Indian women’s squad features four players from Jharkhand—Salima Tete, Nikki Pradhan, Beauty Dungdung and Deepika Soreng—marking the first time that four players from the state have been selected together for a Women’s Hockey World Cup.
The biggest highlight for Jharkhand is the appointment of Salima Tete as captain of the Indian women’s team. She became the first hockey player from Jharkhand to captain India at a Women’s Hockey World Cup.
Defender Nikki Pradhan has also created history by becoming the first and only woman hockey player from Jharkhand to represent India in three consecutive Women’s Hockey World Cups, having previously featured in the 2018 and 2022 editions.
For Beauty Dungdung and Deepika Soreng, the 2026 tournament will mark their World Cup debut, making it a landmark moment in their international careers.
Hockey Jharkhand Treasurer and former international player Asrita Lakra congratulated the team, saying the selection of four players from Jharkhand reflects the state’s growing contribution to Indian hockey. She also credited the leadership of Hockey Jharkhand President Bholanath Singh for strengthening the sport in the state.
Hockey India General Secretary and Hockey Jharkhand President Bholanath Singh, along with other office-bearers, extended their best wishes to both the Indian men’s and women’s teams for a successful World Cup campaign.
