After an arduous journey of close to 15 years in the Indian Women\u2019s Hockey Team, Vandana is on the verge of being a significant part of history as she readies herself to take the field for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the inaugural Women\u2019s Hockey India League early next year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt is a very big thing for us that the Women\u2019s HIL is finally starting. There is a buzz in camp as all players are looking forward to enjoying this experience and playing hockey at a high level. We are all hoping that the Women\u2019s HIL will be a big success and garner as much attention as the Men\u2019s HIL. And we are beyond excited and cannot thank Hockey India enough for making this happen,\u201d she expressed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Vandana is a veteran of 317 appearances for the Indian Women\u2019s Hockey Team and has scored 158 goals during this course. She was also an integral part of the team that, despite all odds, finished fourth at the Tokyo 2022 Olympics. Yet, the thought of playing in the HIL has ignited a fire in her belly and Vandana credits this to the impact the HIL has had on the Indian men\u2019s hockey team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn the previous editions, the Men\u2019s team got a chance to mingle with international players, raise their confidence levels and as everyone can see it has helped the team immensely and they are getting medals on a consistent basis now. I expect the same effect when the Women\u2019s HIL begins with four teams this year. This will be a good opportunity for players who could not make the cut for the National Camp to showcase their potential and grow under different coaches. It will also help strengthen the conveyor belt of talent coming into the Indian Women\u2019s Hockey Team,\u201d Vandana explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"When the HIL was running for the Men previously, I used to watch those matches and dream that I would one day play in a league like this. I cannot believe it is a reality now and we are just over a month away from starting the league. The Women\u2019s Team is looking at it as an opportunity to showcase our potential. Playing with the best players in the world will undoubtedly improve our performance and confidence,\" she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In addition to Vandana, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers have a strong Indian core comprising Udita, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dungdung, Mahima Choudhary and Sushila Chanu. She will also share the dressing room with Olympic Bronze medallist Fiona Crackles and Grace Stewart, a three time Olympian from Australia. They also have a few young Indian prospects on the team like Jyothi Edula, Mumuni Das and Lalrinpuii.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe Women\u2019s HIL is a chance for me to show my capabilities so that I can maintain my place in the Indian Team but as a forward, I will concentrate equally on building good chemistry with all the players on the team. The League is also bound to take a few players out of their shells and make them more comfortable. T<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In addition to Vandana, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers have a strong Indian core comprising Udita, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dungdung, Mahima Choudhary and Sushila Chanu. She will also share the dressing room with Olympic Bronze medallist Fiona Crackles and Grace Stewart, a three time Olympian from Australia. They also have a few young Indian prospects on the team like Jyothi Edula, Mumuni Das and Lalrinpuii.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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