22-member women's hockey squad announced for NZ tour

New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Veteran striker Surinder Kaur will lead a 22-member Indian women's hockey squad in the five-match Test series against New Zealand from May 13 to 23.

The series, to be played at Palmerston North in Wellington, is part of the India team's preparation for the Women's World Cup at Rosario, Argentina in August.

The squad was picked after a two-day selection trial in Bhopal, a Hockey India release said.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Deepika Murthy, E Rajini

Defenders: Binita Toppo, Subhadra Pradhan, Joydeep Kaur

Midfielders: Ritu Rani, Mukta Barla, Deepika Thakur, Kirandeep Kaur, Rosalin Ralte.

Forwards: Surinder Kaur (Captain), Jasjeet Kaur, Rani, Saba Anjum, Chanchan Devi, Soundarya Yendala, Poonam Rani, Monika Badran.

Standbys: Yogita Bali, Preeti Kiro, Thokchom Ranjita Devi and Rosalin Dungdung.

Chief coach: K Kaushik; Coach: Vasu Thaplial; Manager: Madhu Yadav.