Savita Punia becomes India's most-capped women's hockey player

India goalkeeper Savita Punia became the most-capped player in the history of Indian women’s hockey on Monday after surpassing the previous record of 320 senior international appearances held by former India striker Vandana Katariya.

Savita achieved the milestone during India’s Pool B match against Indonesia at the Asian Games in Japan, adding another landmark to a career spanning more than 17 years, Hockey India said in a statement.

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To mark the achievement, Hockey India announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the veteran goalkeeper.

Popularly known as ‘The Wall of India’ for her ability to keep out shots in open play and her composure during penalty shoot-outs, the 36-year-old made her senior international debut in 2009.

Since then, Savita has represented India at three Olympic Games and two Asian Games, besides featuring in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Champions Trophy and FIH Pro League. She went from being a young goalkeeper breaking into the national side to becoming one of its most experienced players and a long-serving captain, before Salima Tete took over as skipper.

Savita completed 300 international appearances in February 2025 against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League. She became only the second Indian woman after Vandana to reach the mark and the second Indian goalkeeper after PR Sreejesh to make 300 senior international appearances.

She drew level with Vandana's record of 320 caps on September 20, 2026, when India opened its Asian Games campaign with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan. A day later, she moved past the mark against Indonesia.

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Career Highlights

-Three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year (2020, 2021, 2023)

-Vice-captain of the India team that finished a historic fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

-Part of the team that finished fifth at FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 – best finish in 52 years

-Captained India to a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, sealed with a match-winning penalty shootout performance

-Led India to the inaugural FIH Nations Cup title in 2022

-Recipient of the Arjuna Award (2018) and the 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)

The record Savita broke belonged to Vandana, India's leading international goal-scorer. Vandana, who also made her international debut in 2009, retired in April 2025 after making 320 appearances and scoring 158 goals during a 16-year career.

Her achievements included a historic hat-trick at the Tokyo Olympics, while she was also a recipient of the Padma Shri.

Reacting to the record, Savita thanked her family, coaches and teammates, while also acknowledging Vandana's contribution to Indian hockey.

“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,” she said.

Savita also said she hoped her achievement would encourage younger players to aim higher and believe they could reach similar milestones.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey praised Savita's consistency and leadership over the years.

"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," Tirkey said.

Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh also congratulated Savita, calling her journey an inspiration for young goalkeepers aspiring to represent India.

India's women's hockey team will continue its campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which also serves as a direct qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.