India women's hockey forward Vandana Katariya feels the team should have played more international matches this year as big ticket events such as Asian Games in China are lined up this year. The most recent assignment for the Indian women's team was in Australia last month, where it was able to record a win only in their fifth and last game on the tour, a 2-1 victory over Australia A, while they lost three (two against Australia senior, one against Australia A) and drew one game (against Australia senior).

The team had a terrific run in the Tokyo Olympics where it lost in the bronze medal match against Great Britain.