Women's HIL: Savita Punia, Salima Tete to lead Soorma HC's charge – Preview

A fortnight after the resumption of the Hockey India League following a seven-year hiatus, the inaugural edition of the Women's HIL is all set to commence on January 12.

Unlike the men's event with eight teams, the women's league will be a four-team competition. Three franchises from the men's league – Soorma Hockey Club, Delhi SG Pipers, and Rarh Bengal Tigers – will also feature in the women's league.

The other team in contention will be Odisha Warriors backed by Navoyam Sports Ventures.

With the opening day of the Women's Hockey League just days away, we take a look at how the Soorma Hockey Club stack up before the season:

Soorma Hockey Club Squad

With Savita Punia and Salima Tete acquired for Rs 20 lakh apiece in the player auction, the Soorma Hockey Club has the top leadership group of the Indian women's national team on their side. The two of them will also co-captain the team in the tournament.

With two experienced players Penny Suibb and Nikki Pradhan manning the back line, Soorma Hockey Club looks pretty strong when it comes to their defence. They also have Jyoti and Preeti in their mix along with Vaishvani Phalke in the midfield, who enjoys falling back from time to time.

Tete, who was named the Indian women's team captain last year, will lead a stacked midfield, which includes the likes of international stars Maria Verschoor, Jimena Cedres, and Sophie Hamilton to dictate the play.

With the presence of India internationals Deepika Soreng, and Sharmila Devi, and the likes of Charlotte Stapenhortst, Charlotte Englebert and others, Soorma also boasts of a very potent attacking line-up. 

Needless to say, Punia will be the first-choice goalkeeper for the team. 

Goalkeepers: Nidhi, Natalia Salvador, Savita Punia

Defenders: Penny Squibb, Jyoti, Preeti, Nikki Pradhan

Midfielders: Salima Tete, Ajmina Kujur, Vaishnavi Palke, Hina Bano, Aishwarya Chavan, Maria Verschoor, Jimena Cedres, Sophie Hamilton

Forwards: Deepika Soreng, Sharmila Devi, Charlotte Stapenhorst, Akshata Dhekale, Sonam, Amanpreet Kaur, Olivia Shannon, Charlotte Englebert, Upasana Singh

Strength and Weakness

On first look, Soorma seems to have a well-rounded squad. They have some big names in the mix and also have a strong Indian core as well as back-up options.

With Tete and Punia to call the shots during play, they are also two very strong leaders in the team.

While there seems to be no real weakness for the JSW-backed team, it would be interesting to see how the players gel up with each other on and off the field. The Women's HIL is a very short competition and the players might face a big challenge in understanding each other and building up synergy.   

Soorma Hockey Club Fixtures

13 January: Soorma Hockey Club v/s Rarh Bengal Tigers

15 January: Soorma Hockey Club v/s Odisha Warriors

17 January: Soorma Hockey Club v/s Delhi SG Pipers

20 January: Soorma Hockey Club v/s Delhi SG Pipers

21 January: Soorma Hockey Club v/s Odisha Warriors

24 January: Soorma Hockey Club v/s Rarh Bengal