Indian Women’s Hockey Team Begin Crucial Australia Tour Ahead of Nations Cup 2025-26
The India women's national field hockey team are set to begin one of their most important preparation phases of the year as they gear up for a four-match series against Australia women's national field hockey team in Perth starting May 26.
The tour comes at a crucial stage in India’s build-up towards the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26, a tournament that carries significant importance for the team’s international ambitions and long-term development. Led by captain Salima Tete, the Indian squad enters the series with growing confidence following a competitive outing in Argentina earlier this year, where they managed to level a four-match series 2-2 against the world No. 2 side after initially losing two matches.
That performance provided valuable momentum for a relatively young Indian side that continues to evolve under chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.
Facing Australia in Perth presents an entirely different challenge. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Australia remain one of the most physically demanding and tactically disciplined teams in international hockey. Playing them on home soil adds another layer of difficulty, particularly given Australia’s traditionally aggressive style and high pressing structure.
For India, ranked ninth in the FIH World Rankings, the series offers a realistic benchmark ahead of the Nations Cup in Auckland.
Speaking before departure, Salima Tete emphasised the importance of competing against elite opposition during this phase of preparation. According to the Indian captain, matches against Australia are exactly the kind of contests the squad needs to improve collectively and gain confidence before the Nations Cup campaign. The midfielder also highlighted the importance of using these games to strengthen team chemistry and tactical execution under pressure.
India’s preparations for the tour have been extensive. The squad spent the last few weeks training at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru, where the coaching staff focused heavily on tactical organisation, structural play and improving match intensity. Penalty corner variations, transition structures and defensive compactness reportedly formed major components of the training programme as the team looked to sharpen execution against stronger opponents.
Under Sjoerd Marijne, India have increasingly prioritised faster ball circulation and disciplined off-ball movement, while also attempting to improve consistency in defensive transitions. The Australia series will now provide the first major assessment of how effectively those tactical improvements translate into match situations.
The 22-member Indian squad reflects a deliberate balance between experienced international players and emerging talent. Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia continues to anchor the defensive unit alongside Bichu Devi Kharibam, while defenders such as Nikki Pradhan, Sushila Chanu and Jyoti bring considerable international exposure.
In midfield, Salima Tete remains the driving force of the team with her pace, pressing ability and transition play. Players like Lalremsiami, Neha and Sunelita Toppo are also expected to play important roles in maintaining midfield intensity against Australia’s physically dominant setup. One of the most interesting aspects of the squad is the inclusion of younger players such as Sonam, Hina Bano and Lalthantluangi.
These emerging names represent the next phase of India’s women’s hockey structure and could receive valuable international exposure during the Perth series. The coaching staff appears keen to gradually integrate younger players into high-pressure environments before major tournaments, ensuring squad depth ahead of future Olympic and World Cup cycles.
India’s attack will remain a key area to watch during the series. Experienced forwards Navneet Kaur and Deepika are expected to lead the frontline alongside Baljeet Kaur and Rutuja Pisal.
While India have shown improvement in creating circle entries over the last year, converting chances consistently against top-ranked opposition remains an area requiring refinement. Australia’s defensive structure and physicality will therefore provide an important test of India’s attacking efficiency, particularly in open play and penalty corner situations.
The timing of the Australia tour makes it especially significant. The FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup represents a major opportunity for India to strengthen their standing in international hockey and potentially improve their pathway towards elite global competitions. Strong performances in Perth would not only build momentum but also help establish tactical clarity and squad combinations ahead of the tournament in New Zealand.
At the same time, the series offers Sjoerd Marijne a valuable opportunity to evaluate player roles under high-intensity match conditions.
Complete Schedule
India will play Australia in four matches at the Perth Hockey Stadium:
Match 1: May 26 – 17:00 IST
Match 2: May 27 – 17:00 IST
Match 3: May 29 – 11:00 IST
Match 4: May 30 – 11:00 IST
For the Indian women’s hockey team, the Perth tour represents more than a preparatory assignment. It is an opportunity to measure their progress against one of the world’s strongest teams and build the confidence required for a defining phase in the international season.
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