Hockey: The Wall gets its 300th brick

Savita Punia, Indian hockey goalkeeper, marks her 300th game with tears, smiles, and leadership, showcasing her enduring passion and commitment.

Savita Punia allowed herself a few seconds of moist eyes, turning away from the cameras and pretending to get her gear in order before wiping off her tears, smiling just a little, getting ready for the national anthem. It was her 300th game with the Indian team.

For someone who’s shied away from attention for a large part of the 17 years she has worn the India jersey, staying hidden behind her helmet at one end of the field, being in the spotlight bang in the middle of the hockey turf for the world to see was clearly a bit too overwhelming. That she is only the second Indian woman to reach the milestone, after Vandana Katariya last year, made it even more special.

As a goalkeeper who has rarely been allowed a break from national duty in the past decade, playing every game for the entire duration, Savita is one of those who have been synonymous with Indian women’s hockey through all the highs and lows. Thrust into the limelight after being handed the captaincy post Tokyo Olympics, Savita gradually grew in the role, understanding it came with extra responsibilities.

“I have understood that there are things you have to do whether you like or not, not because you don’t have a choice but because they need to be done and you cannot pick and choose your responsibilities to the sport,” she had admitted to The Hindu. But the setback at the Paris Olympics qualifiers meant an overhauling of the team core with a new captain. That heartbreak and her marriage around that time almost led to her calling time on her career before the federation and new coach Harendra Singh convinced her to continue.

And it was good she did. Savita still remains a leader with her experience and position on the field affording her an extended vision of the entire game. At 34, she is also the seniormost player in the Indian squad and a rarity to have continued so long. She is grooming Bichu Devi to eventually take over, the latter getting more and more play time over the last few months. But Savita’s rare display of emotions on Monday made it clear she still has a lot in her left.