Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 21: The Indian women’s hockey team, captained by Salima Tete, has departed for a key four-match tour of Australia, marking an important phase in their preparation for upcoming international tournaments.
The team will face Australia in matches scheduled on May 26, 27, 29 and 30 at the Perth Hockey Stadium. The series is expected to provide India with high-intensity exposure against one of the strongest sides in world hockey.
The tour is seen as a crucial stepping stone ahead of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup, scheduled to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from June 15 to 21.
Following the tour of Australia, the squad will continue their preparation cycle for a packed international calendar that includes major competitions such as the World Cup and Asian Games later in the year.
Captain Salima Tete expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, highlighting the value of facing top-quality opposition in challenging overseas conditions.
She said the squad had undergone an intense training camp in recent weeks, focusing on fitness, tactical structure and team combinations, and believes the group has developed strong cohesion heading into the tour.
“The entire squad is really looking forward to this tour,” Salima said in a statement released by Hockey India. “Playing against Australia on their home turf is always a tough challenge, and that is exactly what we need at this stage of our preparations.”
She added that the matches in Perth will provide an opportunity to test their strategies against one of the world’s best teams and help the squad identify areas for improvement before major tournaments.
Salima also stressed that maintaining momentum through the Australia tour and into the Nations Cup will be essential for India’s long-term goals, including peaking at the right time for the Asian Games and the World Cup.
With a demanding international schedule ahead, the Australia series is expected to serve as a key benchmark for the team’s progress and readiness on the global stage.