Striker Rani to lead women's U-21 hockey team

Striker Rani Rampal was on Saturday named the captain of the 18-member Indian women's junior hockey team for the six-nation Volvo International Tournament to be held in Breda, the Netherlands from July 19 to 26.

The 18-member squad was selected from the preparatory camp held here. Rani is the ace forward of the senior team.

Apart from her, several players of the senior team -- defenders Deep Grace Ekka and Namita Toppo, and midfielders M.Lily Chanu and Lilima Minz -- are also part of the Under-21 team to be coached by national chief coach Mathias Ahrens.

India will face the hosts in their first match.

"This tournament is very important for us as the outcome here will create a base for us for the 7th Asia Cup to be played in September this year," Ahrens said in a release.

"This team has been picked on the basis the performance they showed during the preparatory camp and I am confident they will deliver. Our first match is against the Netherlands and we are aiming for winning start".

Goalkeepers: Inderpreet Kaur, Sheweta.

Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Namita Toppo, Gurjit Kaur, Jaspreet Kaur, Manjit Kaur, Rashmita Minz.

Midfielders: M.Lily Chanu, Lilima Minz, Navjot Kaur, Renuka Yadav, Preeti Dubey.

Forwards: Anupa Barla, Rani Rampal, Poonam Barla, Navneet Kaur, Navpreet Kaur.