The Indian women's hockey team is set to turn a new page as the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) gets underway at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. This tournament offers a crucial platform for the national squad to rebuild and showcase its talent after a challenging period marked by setbacks.
A Year of Challenges and a Fresh Start
The past twelve months have been difficult for the team. They faced relegation from the prestigious FIH Pro League and suffered a heartbreaking loss to China in the Asia Cup final. Adding to the turmoil, head coach Harendra Singh stepped down, leaving the team without a permanent coach. The WHIL presents a vital opportunity for the players to move past these disappointments and focus on their performance on the field.
Tournament Format and Competing Teams
This season, like the last, features four competitive teams. The defending champions, Odisha Warriors, have been replaced by the new franchise, Ranchi Royals. The Royals, captained by Nikki Pradhan and coached by Tushar Khandker, will play the tournament opener against SG Pipers on Sunday. The other two teams, JSW Soorma Hockey Club and Shrachi Bengal Tigers, will face off in their first match on Monday.
The league will follow a double round-robin format, where every team plays each other twice. The top two sides at the end of this phase will advance to the final, scheduled for January 10, 2025.
Team Ambitions and Key Players
JSW Soorma Hockey Club, who finished at the top of the table last season but lost the final to Odisha Warriors, are determined to clinch the title this time. Their captain and Indian team stalwart, Savita, emphasized the team's resolve. "Coming so close to the title last season has only sharpened our resolve," Savita said. "Soorma have unfinished business in this league, and we are determined to turn last year’s pain into this year’s motivation."
The home crowd in Ranchi will be firmly behind the Ranchi Royals, though the team might face initial hurdles. Their foreign players arrived just a couple of days before the start, which could lead to coordination issues in the early games.
SG Pipers, who ended at the bottom last season, have undergone a revamp with a new coach and squad, aiming for a much higher finish. Meanwhile, the Shrachi Bengal Tigers will rely heavily on their marquee signing, Argentine star Agustina Gorzelany. Gorzelany became the most expensive player at the auction, bought for Rs. 42 lakhs, and is one of 14 Argentinian players participating in the league.
As the whistle blows in Ranchi, all eyes will be on the Indian players to lead their franchises and signal a strong comeback for the national team's prospects.
