India at Tokyo 2020: All Eyes On The Women in Blue As They Take On Argentina In Hockey Semi-Final

Tokyo2020: What is unique about this Indian playing eleven is that eight out of the 11 players are from the state of Haryana. Take a detailed look at India's probable starting XI.

Indian Women's Hockey Team | (File Photo/ Getty Images)

New Delhi: India's women's hockey team has already made history. They are in the semi-finals of women's hockey at the Olympic Games being played in Tokyo. The Indian eves defeated the mighty Australians in the quarter-final and are now set to face Argentina Wednesday. 

Gurjit Kaur scored the only goal for India Monday, her first in the Olympics. The Indian team dominated the Aussies by showcasing remarkable forward play throughout the match. When the Indian team, led by captain Rani Rampal, made it to the quarter-finals earlier, it was a first in 41 years. 

India has sent a 16-member squad to the Tokyo Olympics 2020, but here are the 'Predicted XI' who could represent India in the semis. 

Just raw, sheer emotions. 🥺❤️

This celebration of the #IND women’s hockey team after defeating world no. 2 #AUS had us all go through a rollercoaster of emotions! 👏🔥

Tokyo2020 | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Hockey pic.twitter.com/cZvyFWaXFy

— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 2, 2021

Probable Starting XI: Savita Punia (GK), Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Udita, Neha Goyal, Monika Malik, Rani Rampal (C), Navneet Kaur, Vandana Katariya, Navjot Kaur, Nisha.

Captain Rani Rampal: The 26-year-old forward from Shahbad, Haryana, is one of India's key players. She made her debut at the age of 14 and has spent almost half her life playing the sport. She is India's skipper and one of the main reasons for India's success at the Olympic Games and previous medals at the Asian Championship, etc. 

Goal-keeper Savita Punia: Savita is one of India's senior players in the line-up. In her interviews, the 31-year-old from Jodhka in Haryana has said she did not like goal-keeping very much as she had to carry the heavy goalkeeper's kit everywhere from buses to trains. It was only after Punia's father bought her a new kit that she is said to have started taking the sport seriously. Punia with her great performances has inspired a generation of goal-keepers in India. 

Deep Grace Ekka: This 27-year-old defender is from Lulkidihi, Odisha. She comes from a hockey background as her brother, Dinesh, was a goal-keeper. Her uncle was a hockey player too. 

Gurjit Kaur: She is from Amritsar, Punjab, and is 25 years old. 'Guri' was the top scorer at the 2019 FIH Women’s Series Final even after being a defender. She scored the all-important goal against Australia. 

Udita Duhan: The 23-year old from Hisar, Haryana, is a defender. She started her career as a handball player but shifted to hockey later on her mother's suggestion. She was India's captain of the U-18 team. 

Neha Goyal: The 24-year old girl from Sonipat has been a Hockey India Midfielder of the Year. She comes from a difficult background as she had to face an 'alcoholic' father who would 'abuse' her mother, according to reports. But she fought all odds to come out a winner. 

Monika Malik: Another player from Sonipat, Haryana, this 27-year-old midfielder has lived mostly in Chandigarh. Her father is an ASI in the Chandigarh Police. She has managed to stick around in the team for a long time. 

Navneet Kaur: The 25-year old forward from Haryana was also part of the 2016 Rio Olympic squad. 

Vandana Katariya: Born in Lucknow, this 25-year-old forward grew up in Haridwar. She was the player who made all the difference in the match against South Africa. India was in a do-or-die situation when this girl from UP scored a hattrick and eased India's way into the knockout qualification. 

Navjyot Kaur: The 26-year old midfielder from Haryana is a mechanic's daughter. Her will to play the game is immense. She played her earlier hockey at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park School. 

Nisha Warsi: This 26-year-old midfielder from Sonipat, Haryana, made her debut just a couple of years back. Her father was a tailor but could not work due to a paralysis attack, according to reports. Her mother took charge of running the household, working at a foam manufacturing factory, after her father's paralysis and inspired Nisha.

Yesterday the men’s hockey team, today the women’s hockey team…
Absolutely loving it. 👏🏻😃 🏑

Well done to the women’s team for making it to the #Olympics semi-finals for the first time ever!

The whole nation is behind you! #Hockey #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/jI18wX35by

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 2, 2021

India is waiting with bated breath for the match against Argentina today. But win or lose, these women have already made the country proud.