Five-match tour to sharpen India U-21 women’s squad

In a crucial build-up to the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup, the Indian junior women’s hockey team will travel to Australia later this month for a five-match series that coach Tushar Khandker believes will provide invaluable exposure and sharpen the squad’s preparations.

The tour, scheduled from September 26 to October 2 at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra, will see India face hosts Australia in the first three matches on September 26, 27 and 29. The team will then take on Canberra Chill, a leading club from Australia’s Hockey One League, in the final two fixtures on September 30 and October 2.The team led by goalkeeper Nidhi.

Calling the opportunity “significant,” Khandker said playing against one of the world’s top hockey nations will test the players’ skills, temperament, and adaptability. “This series will not only highlight areas we need to work on but also give the squad confidence to handle high-pressure situations before the Junior World Cup,” he noted.

The FIH Women’s Junior World Cup will be hosted in Santiago, Chile, this December, and the Australian tour marks the final phase of India’s competitive build-up. The squad has been in an intensive training camp, focusing on improving tactical execution and mental strength.

“We are concentrating on refining match temperament, adapting to different conditions, and ensuring our strategies hold under pressure,” Khandker added. “The experience in Australia will go a long way in shaping the team’s readiness for Chile.”

For India’s budding stars, the series promises to be more than just a preparatory assignment; it is an opportunity to measure themselves against the best, fine-tune their game, and step onto the global stage with confidence.