Hockey World Cup squad, Salima Tete to lead team
Mrituanjay Kumar
Ranchi
Jharkhand has scripted another landmark chapter in Indian hockey, with four players from the state earning selection in India’s squad for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026. Adding to the historic achievement, midfielder Salima Tete has been appointed captain of the Indian team, making the occasion even more significant for the state.
Hockey India has announced a 20-member squad for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to August 30. This is the first time that four players from Jharkhand have been selected together for India’s Women’s Hockey World Cup squad, underlining the state’s growing dominance in the sport.
The four players representing Jharkhand are captain Salima Tete, veteran midfielder Nikki Pradhan, promising forward Beauty Dungdung, and midfielder Deepika Soreng. Their selection comes just a week after four players from the state were also included in India’s squad for the Asian Games, further highlighting Jharkhand’s consistent contribution to the national team.
The Indian squad is currently training in Bengaluru after returning from New Zealand, where it clinched the FIH Nations Cup title with an unbeaten campaign.
India has been placed in Pool D alongside China, England, and South Africa. The team will open its World Cup campaign against China on August 16, followed by matches against South Africa on August 18 and England on August 20. All of India’s matches will be played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Hockey Jharkhand described the selections as a proud moment for the state, crediting sustained government support, structured training programmes, transparent selection procedures, and the guidance of coaches for the continued rise of Jharkhand’s women hockey players on the international stage.
Hockey Jharkhand President Bholanath Singh, the association’s office-bearers, and the Jharkhand government congratulated the Indian team and especially the four players from the state, expressing confidence that they would make the country proud at the World Cup.
