India on Thursday named eight Olympic debutants and as many veterans in its 16-member women's hockey squad for the Tokyo Games to be held from July 23 to August 8. The squad is a perfect mix of youth and experience and includes as many as eight players who had represented India in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Although star striker Rani Rampal has been the captain of the side in the lead up to the Olympics, the national selectors are yet to name the leader of the Tokyo-bound team. However, as per officials in the know-how of developments, Rani is expected to lead the side in Tokyo but a confirmation is still awaited.

The eight Olympic debutants include drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Nisha, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami, the first player hailing from Mizoram in the team, and Salima Tete. Tete had led the Indian team at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games at Buenos Aires to a silver medal performance. The eight experienced players, who were part of the last Olympics, include Rani, goalkeeper Savita, Deep Grace Ekka, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Navjot Kaur and Vandana Katariya. These eight players have amassed a total experience of 1,492 caps between them. The selected squad has just one goalkeeper in Savita, four defenders, six midfielders and five forwards.