Salima Tete to Deepika Sehrawat: Five players India will rely on at Hockey World Cup

When the Indian women’s hockey team walks out against China at Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, they will be competing in the World Cup for the ninth time, and it will be their third consecutive appearance in the tournament. India finished eighth in 2018 and ninth in 2022, but their best-ever finish came at the inaugural World Cup in 1974, when they finished fourth.To match or better that performance this Indian team will have to play out of its skin. Ranked ninth in the world, India had to fight hard to reach the tournament. After a disappointing last year, the team has shown a marked improvement in 2026 under the returning Sjoerd Marijne, with its best performance coming at the Nations Cup, where India lifted the title after beating hosts New Zealand in the final.If India are to carry that momentum into the World Cup, these five players will have a major role to play:Salima Tete: The India skipper didn’t have the best of years in 2025, with the goals drying up and the pressure of captaincy seemingly weighing on her. She struggled to play her natural game. But things have certainly improved this year, and if India are to make it to the next round, Tete will have to play a pivotal role in the centre of the park.Navneet Kaur: A world-class midfielder who has evolved into a goal-scoring machine, Navneet can hurt opponents from open play as well as penalty corners. Add to that her leadership qualities, which were evident when she led SG Pipers to victory in the women’s HIL earlier this year, and India have a player capable of making a difference at both ends of the pitch.Lalremsiami Hmarzote: This will be her third World Cup, and under coach Marijne, the Mizoram forward has reinvented herself. Operating just behind the forward line, the diminutive 26-year-old has become an important link in India’s attacking play, helping create chances and making clever runs into the circle. It was on full display during Nations Cup, where she also produced a standout performance in the final and was named Player of the Match.Deepika Sehrawat: After struggling with injuries for months, the drag-flick specialist returned to the squad and made her presence felt, scoring six goals from penalty corners during the Nations Cup. It was a tremendous showing from the youngster as she showcased her full repertoire, from finding the corners to beating goalkeepers through their legs. Her drag-flicking was one of the highlights of India’s title-winning campaign and played a key role in their return to the Pro League.Sunelita Toppo: The youngster’s pace down the right flank has troubled many a team, and once she gets going, there is little opponents can do to contain her. She has also gained valuable experience playing alongside some of the best players in the world, and India will be hoping the 19-year-old can use that exposure to play a major role in their World Cup campaign.