Bhubaneswar: Hockey India has extended heartfelt congratulations to Savita Punia, the Indian Women’s Hockey team’s goalkeeper, for reaching a remarkable milestone of 300 international caps. The Arjuna Awardee accomplished this feat during India’s FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 match against the Netherlands at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Savita now joins Vandana Katariya as only the second Indian woman to play 300 international matches. Additionally, she becomes just the second Indian goalkeeper, across both men’s and women’s teams, to reach this landmark, following the legendary PR Sreejesh.
A stalwart of Indian hockey, Savita made her senior debut at just 20 years old and has since cemented her place as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers. She played a crucial role in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, a performance that brought global recognition to the team. Her experience was also vital in the Rio Olympics 2016 and the 2018 Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup, where India reached the Quarter-Finals.
As captain, Savita has steered India to multiple successes, including a bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and a title-winning campaign at the FIH Nations Cup. Under her leadership, India also secured back-to-back gold medals in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Her exceptional contributions to Indian hockey have been recognized with numerous accolades. She was honored with the Arjuna Award and has been a two-time recipient of the Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year (2022, 2023). Her outstanding goalkeeping skills have also earned her the prestigious FIH Goalkeeper of the Year award for three consecutive seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23).
Expressing her gratitude on achieving this milestone, Savita said, “Playing 300 matches for India is an incredibly special moment for me. It has been an unforgettable journey, and I am deeply grateful to Hockey India, the Sports Authority of India, my family, teammates, and support staff who have stood by me throughout. Every match wearing the Indian jersey is an honor, and I will continue to give my best for the team.”
Congratulating Savita, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey praised her commitment to the sport, saying, “Savita has been the backbone of Indian hockey for years, and reaching 300 caps is a testament to her dedication and skill. She has been a true leader and an inspiration to young players, especially goalkeepers looking to follow in her footsteps.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also lauded her achievement, stating, “We are extremely proud of Savita’s accomplishment. Her leadership and performances have been instrumental in India’s rise on the world stage, and I have no doubt she will continue to steer the team to greater heights.”
With this milestone, Savita Punia further cements her legacy as one of India’s greatest hockey players, continuing to inspire a new generation of athletes with her unwavering dedication and excellence.
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