Savita Punia Sets New Record as Most-Capped Player in Indian Women's Hockey
Historic Milestone Achieved
On Monday, Savita Punia, the goalkeeper for India, made history by becoming the most-capped player in Indian women's hockey, surpassing the previous record of 320 senior international appearances held by Vandana Katariya. This remarkable achievement occurred during India's Pool B match against Indonesia at the Asian Games in Japan, as reported by Hockey India.
In recognition of her accomplishment, Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹10 lakh for Savita. Renowned for her exceptional shot-stopping abilities and calm demeanor during penalty shootouts, Savita, aged 36, made her senior international debut in 2009. Over the years, she has participated in three Olympic Games, two Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and numerous seasons of the Asian Champions Trophy and FIH Pro League, evolving from a promising talent to a key player and long-time captain of the Indian women's team.
Career Highlights
Career Highlights
- Three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (2020, 2021, 2023)
- Vice-captain of the team that achieved a historic fourth place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
- Part of the squad that finished fifth at the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, marking the best finish in 52 years
- Led India to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, highlighted by a decisive penalty shootout performance
- Guided India to victory in the inaugural FIH Nations Cup in 2022
- Recipient of the Arjuna Award (2018) and Padma Shri (2025)
- Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year (2015, 2024)
- Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year (2021, 2022, 2024)
Reflections on the Achievement
Savita reached her 300th international cap in February 2025 against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League, becoming only the second Indian woman, after Vandana, to achieve this milestone. She equaled Vandana's record of 320 caps on September 20, 2026, during India's impressive 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Asian Games 2026 opener, before surpassing it on Monday.
'This Record Doesn’t Belong to Me Alone'
After the match, Savita expressed her gratitude, stating, "I want to start by saying thank you -- to my family, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who has supported me since I was a young girl learning to save my first penalty corner. Honestly, I never thought I would reach this milestone. When I started, I was just trying to earn my place in the team and make my family proud. I never imagined I would one day be called the most-capped player in the history of Indian women's hockey. This record doesn’t belong to me alone -- it belongs to everyone who has played alongside me, and to Vandana too, because she set the bar and pushed all of us to reach higher. My biggest hope now is that the younger generation coming up sees this and believes it’s possible for them too. I want them to keep growing, keep working, and keep dreaming big for Indian hockey. This game has given me everything, and I will keep giving back to it for as long as I can."
Praise from Hockey India
Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey praised Savita's dedication, stating, "Savita's record is a testament to two decades of discipline and quiet leadership. She has been the backbone of this team, and today's milestone is thoroughly deserved." Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, "On behalf of Hockey India, congratulations to Savita on this historic achievement. Her journey is an inspiration for every young goalkeeper dreaming of wearing the India jersey."
The Indian women's hockey team continues its journey at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which also serves as a qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.