Women's HIL: Udita to lead the experienced Rarh Bengal Tigers - 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 Rarh Bengal Tigers stack up before the season:

Squad

Rahr Bengal Tigers will be led by the experienced Indian defender Udita Duhan who was the most expensive (32 Lacs) buy of the inaugural edition of the women's HIL auction.

Udita will have the support of lots of experienced national team players with her, including the likes of Sushila Chanu in the midfield and star forwards like Lalremsiami and Vandana Katariya.

They also have experienced foreign players in the teams, who can support their forward line, like Grace Carmel Stewart of Australia and Kathryn Mullan of Ireland.

In addition, they have the up-and-rising youngster Beauty Dung Dung in their forward line, who can offer good support to her experienced counterparts by making speedy runs on the flank.

Goalkeepers: Grace O Hanlon, Jennifer Rizzo, Vidyashree V

Defenders: Udita, Mahima Chaudhary, Marina Lalramnghaki, Roisin Upton, Ashley Hoffman

Midfielders: Sushila Chanu, Jyothi Edula, Huda Khan, Binima Dhan, Munmuni Das, Shilpi Dabas, Grace Carmel Stewart, Fiona Crackles

Forwards: Lalremsiami, Beauty Dung Dung, Vandana Katariya, Lalrinpuii Pachuav, Vandana Patel, Priyanka Wankhede, Kathryn Mullan, Hannah Cotter

Strength and weakness

The biggest strength for Shrachi Rahr Tigers is the experience in their lineup having Vandana Katariya, the most capped Indian player in history, and one of the prolific midfielders Sushila Chanu.

Their quick forward Laremsiami also has the experience of more than 150 international matches whereas the captain Udita is also among the regular starters of the Indian national team.

However, they don't have much-experienced names in the overseas setup, which can trouble the team in the long run. 

Also, the team will have to rely on their captain Udita for penalty corner duties as there aren't many outright drag-flickers in the squad, which will play a big role in the team's tactics.

Fixtures

13 January: Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Soorma Hockey Club - 6:00 PM

14 January: Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Delhi SG Pipers - 6:00 PM

16 January: Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Odisha Warriors - 6:00 PM

19 January: Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Odisha Warriors - 6:00 PM

22 January: Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Delhi SG Pipers - 6:00 PM

24 January: Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Soorma Hockey Club - 6:00 PM