Savita surpassed the previous record of 320 senior international appearances held by former India striker Vandana Katariya. She reached the milestone during India\u2019s Pool B fixture against Indonesia at the ongoing Asian Games in Japan, adding another landmark to her decorated career.. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Known across the hockey world as \u2018The Wall of India\u2019 for her shot-stopping skills in open play and her nerveless record in penalty shoot-outs, the 36-year-old Savita made her senior international debut in 2009. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since then, she has been ever-present across three Olympic Games, two Asian Games campaigns, the Commonwealth Games, and multiple Asian Champions Trophy and FIH Pro League seasons \u2014 evolving from a promising young shot-stopper into the backbone and long-time captain of the Indian women\u2019s team before the current skipper, Salima Tete, took over. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Savita reached her 300th international cap in February 2025 against the Netherlands in the FIH Hockey Pro League, becoming only the second Indian woman \u2014 after Vandana \u2014 to reach 300 caps, and only the second Indian goalkeeper \u2014 after PR Sreejesh \u2014 to do so. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
She equalled Vandana\u2019s all-time record of 320 caps on September 20, 2026, in India\u2019s emphatic 19-0 win over Uzbekistan in the Asian Games 2026 opener, before surpassing it on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The record Savita has now surpassed was set by Vandana, India\u2019s all-time leading goal-scorer, who made her international debut in 2009 \u2014 the same year as Savita \u2014 and retired in April 2025 after 320 caps and 158 goals. Her 16-year career included a historic Olympic hat-trick at the Tokyo Games and the Padma Shri.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking after the match, Savita said, \u201cI want to start by saying thank you \u2014 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.\u201d <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen I started, I was just trying to earn my place in the team and make my family proud. I never imagined I would one day be called the most-capped player in the history of Indian women\u2019s hockey. This record doesn\u2019t belong to me alone \u2014 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. My biggest hope now is that the younger generation coming up sees this and believes it\u2019s possible for them too. I want them to keep growing, keep working and keep dreaming big for Indian hockey. This game has given me everything, and I will keep giving back to it for as long as I can.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Praising Savita on her longevity, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said, \"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.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen I started, I was just trying to earn my place in the team and make my family proud. I never imagined I would one day be called the most-capped player in the history of Indian women\u2019s hockey. This record doesn\u2019t belong to me alone \u2014 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. My biggest hope now is that the younger generation coming up sees this and believes it\u2019s possible for them too. I want them to keep growing, keep working and keep dreaming big for Indian hockey. This game has given me everything, and I will keep giving back to it for as long as I can.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s women\u2019s hockey team continues its campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which also serves as a direct pathway to qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n