Savita Punia's journey from a shy youngster dependent on her mother to a confident veteran goalkeeper and mentor reflects hockey's profound impact on her life.
Star goalkeeper Savita Punia returns to the Indian women's hockey team after a 10-month break, while Salima Tete misses the Argentina series due to illness. The tour serves as crucial preparation for upcoming major tournaments.
Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia has withdrawn from the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers due to personal reasons, with Salima Tete named as the captain of the 20-member Indian squad.
Indian women's hockey team captain Savita Punia believes their recent FIH Nations Cup triumph has instilled the confidence needed to challenge top teams and secure a podium finish at the upcoming World Cup.
The Indian women's hockey team advanced to the second round of the FIH World Cup after a goalless draw against England in their final Pool D match. Despite a challenging performance and facing numerous penalty corners, India's goalkeepers played a crucial role in preserving the draw and securing qualification.
Kajal Dhochak clinched her second consecutive U20 World title in wrestling, while teammates Tanu Sharma and Savita secured silver medals at the Under-20 Wrestling World Championship.
The Indian women's hockey team, unbeaten in the FIH Women's World Cup, faces England in their final Pool D match. A draw secures India's top spot, but England desperately needs a win to advance. India's strong attacking and defensive performances have built confidence, though coach Sjoerd Marijne warns against complacency, highlighting England's previous victory over India and their strong play. The team aims to continue its impressive run and potentially secure a podium finish.
The Indian women's hockey team suffered a 2-0 defeat against the formidable Netherlands in their FIH World Cup Pool E encounter, with goals from Yibbi Jansen and Frederique Matla, both from penalty corners. This loss puts India in a precarious position, requiring a victory against Australia to keep their semi-final aspirations alive.
India's World Cup goalkeeper Bichu Devi, inspired by cricketing legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni, emphasises the importance of composure under pressure.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the honours to eminent personalities and posthumous awardees for their exceptional contributions.
The Indian senior women's national hockey team is set to begin a training camp in Bengaluru to prepare for the upcoming World Cup and other major tournaments.
'My next target for the whole year is very important. I have always set my goals in life. So now I have only one goal in my mind, that is we must win a gold medal in the Asian Games and directly qualify for the Olympics.'
For women's hockey goalkeeping stalwart Savita Punia, the Padma Shri is more than a national honour -- it is a quiet acknowledgement of years marked by sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief, both her own and that of a family that stood by her when the odds were firmly stacked against her.
India women's captain Harmanpreet Kaur and former men's skipper Rohit Sharma headline the list of sportspersons to be honoured with Padma awards this Republic Day.
Bangladesh's local media reported on Wednesday, quoting sources in the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) that Ridhima was axed from the BPL.
Vijay Amritraj gets Padma Bhushan; Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur receive Padma Shri
For the year 2026, the President has approved the conferment of 131 Padma awards. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri.
'Many of the players I played alongside like Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Krishan Pathak are doing very well today. Somewhere, there is regret that I could not do that.'
India have come into the tournament without the injured duo of veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia and ace drag-flicker Deepika.
India beat Korea 4-2 in women's Asia Cup hockey Super 4 stage
India captain Harmanpreet Singh and senior goalkeeper Savita Punia won the Hockey India Balbir Singh Senior Player of the Year award.
Navneet Kaur struck from a penalty corner seconds before the final hooter as India came from behind twice to hold defending champions Japan to a 2-2 draw
India conceded more than 100 penalty corners, including 17 in a game against Belgium across 16 Pro League matches.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club earned a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Delhi SG Pipers in the Women's Hockey India League.
It was stalwart India goalkeeper and former skipper Savita Punia's 300th international match but she was beaten in the seventh minute by a reverse hit from a Reijnen.
India began their Women's Pro League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 victory over England at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium.
Germany clinched their first win of the season as they stormed to a 4-0 win against India in the women's FIH Hockey Pro League.
The Indian women's hockey team lost 0-1 to Spain in the return leg match of the FIH Pro League.
Savita Punia and P R Sreejesh were named FIH Goalkeepers of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Charlotte Englebert scored a hat-trick to power JSW Soorma Hockey Club to the final of the inaugural Women's Hockey India League with a 4-2 win over Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
Despite a tense final quarter that saw multiple penalty corners, Spain's defence stood firm to deny Germany an equaliser.
Women's HIL will provide financial stability to junior players and attract youth to hockey: Savita Punia
The Indian women's hockey team continued its winless streak in the Belgium leg of the FIH Pro League, slumping to 0-3 defeat against Argentina in Antwerp on Sunday.
Indian women's hockey team's new captain Salima Tete hopes to utilise the "valuable lessons" learnt from the recent home series against South Africa to make a fresh start in the European leg of the FIH Pro League, beginning in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday.
They had a golden chance to equalise with Deep Grace Ekka taking the strike from close range as the ball took a deflection from Vandana Katariya but only to ricochet off the crossbar in the second quarter.
Indian women produced a flawless effort to outwit United States 3-1 and end this leg of the Hockey Pro League on a winning note in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Love for Gold and Longing for Husband: Indian hockey captain Savita gears up for Asiad
Seeking the services of American psychologist and mental conditioning coach Peter Harberl, following a disappointing Asian Games, has played a significant role in the Indian women's hockey team's turnaround in the ongoing FIH Olympic Qualifiers.
India, South Korea play out 1-1 draw in women's hockey
Mid-fielder Salima Tete on Thursday replaced veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia as captain of the 24-strong Indian women's hockey squad for the Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League starting later this month.
