The Indian women's hockey team is set to take on hosts Australia in a five-match series, which will be held from May 18-27 at MATE Stadium in Adelaide.
Seasoned goalkeeper Savita Punia will lead the Indian side while ace defender Deep Grace Ekka will be her deputy.
India will play Australia in the first three games of the series, followed by two matches against Australia A. The tour is part of the Indian team's preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, which will take place in September-October this year.
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In the last couple of years, India and Australia have shared an interesting rivalry.
India defeated Australia 1-0 in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. It was a historic victory for the Indian team as they were competing in only their third Olympics. Playing in an Olympic quarterfinal for the very first time, India got the better of three-time gold medalists Australia.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, however, Australia handed India a heartbreaking defeat in penalties. In the semi-final, the teams were tied 1-1 after regulation time. Australia won the penalty shoot-out 3-0 to make it to the final, which they lost to England. Meanwhile, India defeated New Zealand to clinch the bronze medal.
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What is the Indian squad for the women's hockey tour of Australia?
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia (C), Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka (VC), Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Udita, Gurjit Kaur
Midfielders: Nisha, Navjot Kaur, Monika, Salima Tete, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sonika, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya, Sangita Kumari, Sharmila Devi
What is the schedule for Indian women's hockey tour of Australia?
| Opponent | Date | Time |
| Australia | May 18 | 2:15pm |
| Australia | May 20 | 2:15 pm |
| Australia | May 21 | 1:45 pm |
| Australia A | May 25 | 2:15 pm |
| Australia A | May 27 | 2:15 pm |
How can you watch Indian women's hockey tour of Australia?
India tour of Australia will be telecast live on DD Sports. While the rest of the world can view the matches on watch.hockey. In Australia, the matches will be live on Fox Sports/Kayo and also stream on the online platform, LiveHockey.
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