Salima Tete: Series against South Africa allowed us to experiment with different combinations in preparation for Pro League

Indian women’s hockey team captain Salima Tete reflects on the team’s recent success in the six-match friendly series against South Africa, where they emerged victorious with a 4-2 win. The 22-year-old midfielder, who recently took over the captaincy from Savita Punia, expressed how the series helped the team understand their dynamics better and highlighted areas that need improvement before the upcoming European leg of the FIH Pro League.

Salima emphasized the importance of testing different player combinations and utilizing all 24 members of the squad to enhance coordination on the field. She credited the series for honing their skills and providing valuable insights into the team’s structure, while also identifying areas for growth and refinement.

Despite winning the first three games, India faced tough competition from South Africa, who bounced back with victories in the fourth and fifth ties. The series served as a crucial exposure for India to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the challenging European leg of the FIH Pro League.

Salima, with over 100 appearances for the country, highlighted the learning opportunities the series provided for younger players in the squad. She described it as a journey of discovery and development, equipping emerging talents with the knowledge and understanding needed to excel in international hockey.

As India gears up to face tough opponents like Argentina, Belgium, Spain, Great Britain, and Germany in the upcoming Pro League matches, the team is focused on building on their recent success and climbing up the standings. The European leg of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 will kick off in Belgium on May 22, followed by matches in England starting on June 1. India currently sits in sixth place in the standings with eight points from eight matches.