New Delhi: The Indian women’s hockey team are eyeing a five-match New Zealand test series as “preparation” for the upcoming World League Semi-final.
The team led by Rani Rampal also has experienced members like Sushila Chanu, Ritu Rani, Deep Grace Ekka, Sunita Lakra and Vandana Katariya.
Youngster Reena Khokhar too has got a look in while Udita will make her debut.
“I believe we have improved in fitness, technique and man marking.
The New Zealand tour will be a good preparatory tour for us ahead of the World League Semi-final in June and this exposure will help us improve and also understand our weak points,” Rani said. The five-match test series begins on May 14.
Newly-appointed coach Sjoerd Marijne believes playing against higher-ranked New Zealand will help the team gauge their strengths and weaknesses.
“Playing against NZ who are ranked above us, will open up areas that we require to work on in the next three months ahead of the WL Semi-Final. Playing with good pace, handling pressure, coming up with good defence and emphasis on fitness were some of the focus areas in the 21-day camp in Bengaluru,” Marijne said.
