Savita Punia Becomes Most-Capped Indian Woman Hockey Player, INR 10 Lakh Reward Announced

In a landmark moment for Indian hockey, the nation's stalwart goalkeeper, Savita Punia, today surpassed former striker Vandana Katariya to become the most-capped Indian woman player in the sport's history. The 36-year-old Punia registered her 321st senior international appearance during India's commanding 17-1 win against Indonesia in a Pool B fixture at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Asian Games 2026: Deepika Sehrawat's 8-Goal Blitz Power India Women Hockey Team to 19-0 Win Over Uzbekistan.

Savita Punia Becomes Most-Capped Indian Woman Hockey Player 

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝟯𝟮𝟭! 🥹👑🇮🇳

A record built on years of grit, countless saves and an unwavering love for the game. ❤️🏑

Savita is now the most-capped Indian woman hockey player with 321 senior international appearances, surpassing Vandana Katariya’s record. 🙌💙… pic.twitter.com/awrAXyLyaR

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 21, 2026

Her remarkable achievement was met with immediate recognition from Hockey India, which announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the seasoned custodian. Known widely as 'The Wall of India' for her exceptional shot-stopping abilities and composure under pressure, particularly in penalty shoot-outs, Savita's career has been defined by consistency and clutch performances.

A Journey of Grit and Glory

Savita Punia, born on July 11, 1990, made her senior international debut in 2009. Since then, she has been an indispensable part of the Indian women's team, representing the country at three Olympic Games and two Asian Games, along with appearances at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Champions Trophy, and FIH Pro League. Her leadership qualities also saw her captain the Indian women's team for an extended period before Salima Tete assumed the role.

She equalled Vandana Katariya's long-standing record of 320 caps on September 20, 2026, during India's emphatic 19-0 triumph over Uzbekistan in their opening Asian Games 2026 fixture. Just a day later, in the match against Indonesia, she officially etched her name into the annals of Indian hockey as the sole record holder.

Speaking after the historic match, an emotional Savita expressed her gratitude. “I want to start by saying thank you – to my family, my coaches, my teammates and every single person who has stood behind me since I was a young girl learning to save my first penalty corner. Honestly, I never thought I would reach this milestone,” she said.

Asian Games 2026 Campaign

The Indian women's hockey team is currently competing in the Asian Games 2026, held from September 19 to October 4, with the hockey tournament taking place from September 18 to October 3 at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. India is placed in Pool B alongside Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore. The victory over Indonesia marks their second consecutive win in the tournament. Asian Games 2026: Dilpreet Singh Scores Four as India Men Rout Indonesia 13-1 in Hockey Opener.

India Women's Hockey - Asian Games 2026 Pool B Fixtures:

• September 20, 2026: India 19-0 Uzbekistan
• September 21, 2026: India 17-1 Indonesia
• September 23, 2026: India vs Thailand
• September 25, 2026: India vs Japan
• September 27, 2026: India vs Singapore

Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh congratulated Savita, stating, "Her journey is an inspiration for every young goalkeeper dreaming of wearing the India jersey." This milestone not only highlights Savita Punia's enduring brilliance but also serves as a testament to the growing stature and sustained success of Indian women's hockey on the global stage, as the team continues its quest for glory at the Asian Games.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2026 02:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).