Indian sports wrap, September 20: Indian squad for women’s junior hockey Australia tour announced
HOCKEY
Hockey India announces Indian Junior Women’s Squad for Australia Tour
Hockey India on Saturday announced the 23-member Indian Junior Women’s Hockey squad for the upcoming Australia Tour, scheduled to be held at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra from September 26 to October 2.
The team will play a total of five matches during the tour. The first three fixtures will be against the Australia Junior Women’s Team, followed by two matches against Canberra Chill, a club side from Australia’s Hockey One League. The series will serve as a crucial step for the Indian side ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 to be held in Santiago, Chile in December.
The squad will be lead by Jyoti Singh, who has already made headway into the senior team during the FIH Hockey Pro League earlier this year.
Speaking on the team selection, team coach Tushar Khandker said, “This is a talented group of young players who have been working very hard in training. We have tried to strike the right balance across all departments, with players who can adapt to any situation. Although they are young, they are quite experienced for their age and have been playing together really well. The Australia Tour will be a great opportunity for this group to showcase their abilities and gain valuable international experience.”
Indian Junior Women’s Hockey squad for Australia Tour 2025:
GOALKEEPERS – Nidhi, Engil Harsha Rani Minz
DEFENDERS – Manisha, Jyoti Singh (C), Lalthantluangi, Mamita Oram, Sakshi Shukla, Puja Sahoo, Nandni
MIDFIELDERS – Priyanka Yadav, Sakshi Rana, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Rajni Kerketta, Binima Dhan, Ishika, Sunelita Toppo, Anisha Sahu.
FORWARDS – Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Sonam, Kanika Siwach, Sukhveer Kaur
-Team Sportstar
GOLF
Aditi Ashok in Top 20 after first round
India’s Aditi Ashok carded a bogey-free first round of five-under 66 to lie tied 18 at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship here.
Sarah Schmelzel and Minami Katsu shared the lead at the end of the first round after shooting rounds of eight-under 63 at the Pinnacle Country Club.
Teeing off on the front nine, Aditi started with two birdies and also made birdies on the 13th, 15th and 18th holes to take her birdie tally of the day to five. She was bogey free for the day.
Indo-Canadian Savannah Grewal carded three-under 68 in her first round and to lie T-45, while Gurleen Kaur shot one-under 70 after making four birdies and three bogeys to be T-86th.
The event has been low scoring and the projected cut stands at three under par.
-PTI
MOTORSPORT
Navi Mumbai to host Maharashtra’s First-Ever Formula Night Street Race
Navi Mumbai is set to host the finale of the Indian Racing Festival (IRF) on December 2025.
The announcement marks the arrival of Mumbai’s first-ever FIA-grade Street racing circuit. The race will happen on a 3.753km FIA-grade Street circuit, featuring 14 turns.
“We are proud to bring the Indian Racing Festival to Navi Mumbai,” said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “The Mumbai Street Race marks a historic milestone in Maharashtra’s motorsport journey, showcasing our capability to host world-class events that drive tourism and generate jobs. This event will not only inspire young racers but also motivate young talent across fields such as engineering, technology, and event management.”
-Team Sportstar
Published on Sep 20, 2025