Kullu to lead women's hockey team

Ace striker Jyoti Sunita Kullu has been retained captain of the Indian women's hockey team for the upcoming 15th Asian Games.

The Doha-bound 16-member team, which was announced in New Delhi on Friday, would miss the services of veteran goalkeeper Helen Mary Innocent as the ace custodian opted out of the national camp due to personal reasons.

Dipika Murty is likely to don the mantle of the senior goalkeeper in the absence of Helen Mary.

The Indian team would be keen to improve upon their disappointing performance at last month's World Cup in Madrid where they finished 11th in the 12-team event.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dipika Murty, Marita Tirkey

Full-back: Suman Bala, Binita Toppo, Pushpa Pradhan

Half-back: Rajwinder Kaur, Asunta Lakra, Joydeep Kaur, Subhadra Pradhan

Forwards: Surinder Kaur, Jyoti Sunita Kullu (capt), Mamta Kharb, Saba Anjum, Jasjeet Kaur, Binita Xess, Ritu Rani.

Officials: M K Kaushik (Coach), Rajbeer Kaur (Manager), Anurita Saini (Assistant Coach), A B Subbaiah (Goalkeeping Coach), Suraj Kumar (Physiotherapist).

Technical Officials: Amrit Bose (Assistant Tournament Director), Neeta Dumre (Judge), Sunita Pant (Umpire).