BENGALURU (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) - There will be few players at the 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship with quite as much experience to call upon as India's long-serving star Anitha Paul Durai.

Her veteran know-how will be absolutely priceless for India as they prepare to touch down in Wuhan without their key trio of Prashanti Singh, Raspreet Sidhu and their most famous player of all - the now retired Geethu Anna Jose.

However, the fact these players are missing only serves to galvanise the team and especially Paul Durai, who is preparing to appear at the continental event for an astonishing eighth time after proving her fitness in the wake of her return from maternity leave.

"I [have already] captained the side in 2005 and then also at the 2012 Asian Beach Games where we won gold," she explained.

"This time everyone is my junior, but the positive is that everyone will listen to me.

"Our goal is to maintain fifth position by beating Thailand," declared the playmaker, who averaged more than 12 points per game in Bangkok two years ago and also led her team in assists.

While to some that might not exactly feel like reaching for the sky in terms of ambition, India have still never beaten any of the opponents they will face in China and that includes Thailand.

One player looking to thrive on the additional responsibility in the wake of some absentees is Shireen Limaye, who is expected to be elevated to a starting five spot and to impose herself in games.

"Since some of the senior players are missing, there is definitely more pressure on me," she acknowledged.

"Last time around, I was the sixth player.

"Now I will be playing from the start, so it will be harder, but I enjoy the additional responsibility." 

The expectations on her shoulders were also confirmed by head coach Francisco Garcia, who continues at the helm and will have to be braced for another challenging schedule.

"We have high expectations for Poojamol [Kochuparambu Subhashmon], Shireen [Limaye] and Jeena [Palanilkumkalayil] who all have to take bigger steps forward," confirmed the Spanish play-caller.

Among the talented new faces are point guard Kavita Akula from Chhattisgarh who has recently completed a successful four-year scholarship programme at the IMG Academy and fellow teenager Bhandavya Hemmige Mahesha.

The two youngsters have already represented India at the junior age group levels and will be eager to compete against senior international opponents.

India roster for 2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship: Kavita Akula, Anjana Prasannan Geetha, Shireen Vijay Limaye, Bhandavya Hemmige Mahesha, Apporva Muralinath, Stephy Nixon,Anitha Paul Durai, Smruthi Radhakrishnan, Jeena Palanilkumkalayil Skaria, Rajapriyadharshini Rajaganapathi, Poojamol Kochuparambu Subhashmon, Sitamani Tudu.

FIBA