After missing three years, Manipur-born defender Suman Devi Thoudam has made a noteworthy comeback to the Indian women’s hockey team. The 25-year-old is making her first appearance for the national team since 2022 after being selected in the squad for the FIH Pro League 2024–25 European leg. Suman, who is from Imphal, last represented India in a Pro League match in Bhubaneswar against the Netherlands. She continued to train at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Delhi, but she has since stayed outside the national core group.
In an attempt to regain her position, she has spent the last three years honing her defensive abilities, such as man-to-man marking and tackling. Suman has played for both the youth and senior teams since joining the national camp in 2016. She was removed from the senior setup after 2022, but she was determined to become better and come back stronger.
Her inclusion precedes a rigorous timetable. India will play twice against top teams, including Australia, Argentina, Belgium, and China, in London, Antwerp, and Berlin from June 14 to June 29. Australia will play the first game in London. Suman wants to take full advantage of her return and establish herself as a key member of the team. As India prepares for a pivotal stretch of the international season, her return gives depth to their defensive lineup.
