North India Statesman
Veteran goalkeeper and former captain Savita Punia etched her name into the history books on Monday, September 21, by becoming the most-capped player in the history of Indian women’s hockey. The 36-year-old custodian reached the milestone by earning her 321st senior international cap during India’s dominant 17-1 victory over Indonesia at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. With this appearance, Savita moved past the previous benchmark of 320 international appearances set by retired forward and prolific goal-scorer Vandana Katariya.
Commemorating the landmark achievement, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for the star goalkeeper. The milestone adds another chapter to a career spanning over 17 years, during which Savita evolved from a promising talent into the defensive anchor of the national team.
A Legendary 17-Year Journey in Goal
Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Great Wall of India’ for her athletic reflexes and composure during high-pressure shootouts, Savita made her senior international debut back in 2009. Since then, she has stood as a guardian between the posts across three Olympic Games, multiple Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and FIH Pro League campaigns.
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300-Cap Club: In February 2025, during an FIH Pro League encounter against the Netherlands, Savita became only the second Indian woman (after Vandana) and second Indian goalkeeper overall (after PR Sreejesh) to hit 300 international appearances.
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Equaling the Record: She drew level with Vandana Katariya’s tally of 320 caps during India’s opening 19-0 demolition of Uzbekistan at the Asian Games, before taking sole possession of the top spot against Indonesia.
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Individual Honors: A three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (2020, 2021, 2023), Savita was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2018 and the Padma Shri in 2025.
Under her leadership, India captured the bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and hoisted the inaugural FIH Nations Cup title in Spain. She was also a central figure as vice-captain during the Indian women’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
‘This Record Belongs to Everyone’: Savita Pays Tribute to Vandana
Speaking after rewriting the record books, Savita remained humble, dedicating the milestone to her teammates and acknowledging her longtime compatriot:
“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. Vandana has always been our idol. To surpass someone like her is an honour for me and my family.”
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey lauded her longevity and contribution: “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.”
As India continues its Pool A campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Games aiming for direct qualification to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Savita’s presence between the posts remains the team’s greatest anchor.
