Salima Tete Celebrates 150th Cap with Indian Women's Hockey Team
Salima Tete Reaches Milestone in Women's Hockey
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 14: Hockey India expressed its congratulations to Captain Salima Tete for achieving her 150th appearance with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team during the final match of the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 against England.
Renowned for her exceptional speed and relentless effort in midfield, Salima made her international debut in November 2016 during Test Matches against Australia in Melbourne. The 25-year-old midfielder from Jharkhand has since become a pivotal player for the national team, contributing significantly by creating scoring chances and netting 16 goals, as noted in a press release.
At just 19, Salima earned her Olympian status as part of the historic Indian team that secured fourth place at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. This experience marked a significant turning point in her career, establishing her as one of the standout players in subsequent years.
Shortly thereafter, she was recognized as the Rising Player of the Tournament at the Women’s Asia Cup 2022 in Muscat, where India finished third. Salima also led the Indian squad at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2021 in Potchefstroom, South Africa, where they achieved a fourth-place finish.
During the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she scored a vital goal in the bronze medal match against New Zealand, helping India secure their first official victory over the Kiwis through a penalty shootout. Salima was also a key player in the Indian Women’s Hockey Team that triumphed at the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Spain in December 2022.
In 2023, Salima continued her ascent by playing a crucial role in India’s bronze medal-winning effort at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Her standout performance came later that year at the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, where she scored five goals in seven matches and was named Player of the Tournament.
Beyond her on-field contributions, Salima was appointed as an AHF Athletes Ambassador in March 2023, highlighting her growing influence in international hockey and her dedication to athlete representation and development.
Her consistent performances and leadership were recognized in 2024 when she was named Captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team. Under her guidance, India clinched gold at the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir 2024 and followed it up with a silver medal at the Women’s Asia Cup in Gongshu 2025.
Salima’s rise in international hockey has also been acknowledged off the field. In 2021, she received the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women Under 21), showcasing her emergence as one of the brightest young talents in the nation.
Her continued excellence was further recognized in 2023 when she was awarded the prestigious Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year. In 2024, Salima’s significant contributions to Indian hockey were honored nationally with the Arjuna Award, marking another major milestone in her inspiring journey.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey congratulated Salima on her achievement, stating, “Reaching 150 international caps at such a young age is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects Salima’s talent, consistency, and dedication to Indian hockey. Her growth as a player has been tremendous, and she has led the team with energy and maturity. Salima’s journey from Jharkhand to captaincy is truly inspiring, and on behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate her on this milestone and wish her continued success.”
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh added, “Salima Tete has emerged as one of the most exciting and influential players in Indian women’s hockey in recent years. Her ability to lead through her performances and attitude has made her an essential member of the team. Achieving 150 caps is a proud moment for her, her family, and Indian hockey as a whole. We congratulate her on this landmark and look forward to her future achievements.”