Savita Punia Becomes India's Most-Capped Women's Hockey Player
Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia became the most-capped player in Indian women's hockey history on 21 September 2026, surpassing the 320-cap record of Vandana Katariya during India's Pool B match against Indonesia at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Savita had equalled the record a day earlier in India's 19-0 win over Uzbekistan. Nicknamed 'The Wall of India', she debuted in 2009, reached 300 caps in February 2025 against the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League, and received the Padma Shri in 2026. Hockey India announced a Rs 10 lakh cash reward. Vandana Katariya, a striker, retired in April 2025 with 320 caps and 158 goals.
Savita Punia is nicknamed 'The Wall of India'; debut 2009 | Hockey's world body is the FIH, HQ Lausanne, Switzerland | Asian Games 2026 host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan