Deepika Kumari Celebrates Indian Women's Hockey Team's Historic World Cup Finish

Proud of the Team's Performance

Deepika Kumari, a key player for the Indian women's hockey team, expressed her pride in the squad's performance at the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026, despite not meeting their expectations. The team returned to Bengaluru on Saturday after securing a fifth-place finish in the tournament.

Reflections on the Tournament

In her reflections on the tournament, Deepika acknowledged the disappointment of not achieving their goals but emphasized the team's resolve to end on a high note. "We were disheartened not to reach our envisioned outcome, but our mindset was clear: we had to finish with a win, regardless of our position," she stated.

Aiming for Victory

Deepika highlighted that the primary aim was to conclude the World Cup with a victory. "That was our goal: to finish the tournament on a winning note. Although we had higher aspirations, what we accomplished is still a source of immense pride," she remarked.

Looking Forward to the Asian Games

The player commended her teammates for their unwavering focus and motivation throughout the competition. With the Asian Games on the horizon, Deepika stated that the team is now gearing up to achieve another remarkable milestone. "I am extremely proud of the entire team and the dedication each player showed; everyone stayed focused and driven. Now, our attention turns to the upcoming Asian Games, where we aim to create history once more," she added.

Historic Achievement and Recognition

The Indian women's hockey team finished fifth in the World Cup, marking their best result since they placed fourth in the inaugural tournament in 1974. They secured this milestone with a 3-1 victory over World No. 5 Germany in the classification match for fifth and sixth place held in Amstelveen.

In recognition of their historic achievement, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh for the Indian Women's Hockey Team.