Suraj Lata Devi to lead

Suraj Lata Devi, who led India to the Commonwealth Games gold medal last year, will lead the Indian women's hockey team for the July 10-13 away Test series against Russia.

An 18-member team was announced by the Indian Women's Hockey Federation on Saturday after a two-day selection trial in Bangalore.

The Test matches are part of preparations for the first Afro-Asian Games later this year and the Olympic qualifier  next year.

The team: Helen Mary, Deepika Murthy, Suman Bala, Kanti Baa, Pushpa Pradhan, Subhadra Pradhan, Gurpreet Kaur, Manju, Suraj Lata Devi (capt), Fulmani Soy, Neha Singh, Samggai, Ibomhal Chanu, Surinder Kaur, Adline Kerketta, Annarita Kerketta, Meenakshi, Masira Surin Jyoti, Sunita Kullu (vice-captain).

Chief coach: M K Kaushik

Coach: M R Negi

Manager: P K Ramesh.