Indian women’s hockey stalwart Savita Punia is in a reflective yet determined phase of her career as she prepares for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Building Momentum Ahead of HIL Season
Speaking exclusively before the Hockey India League (HIL) season with Soorma Hockey Club, the experienced goalkeeper discussed her retirement plans, evolving relationship with Rani Rampal, the emergence of young talent, leadership dynamics, and her hopes for World Cup qualification.
Soorma had a strong start to their campaign in the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League last year. They kicked off with a commanding 4-1 victory over the Bengal Tigers, followed by a narrow 2-1 win against the Odisha Warriors, who eventually became champions, before losing 0-2 to Delhi SG Pipers.
In the return fixtures, results were mixed. Soorma rebounded with a 5-1 win over Delhi but then experienced a loss to Odisha in a penalty shootout. They later overcame Bengal 4-2 to secure a spot in the final, where they once again lost to the Odisha Warriors.
Strengthening Bonds on and off the Field
Having played alongside Rani Rampal during the Tokyo Olympics, Soorma Hockey Club co-captain Savita emphasized that their bond remains strong. Their roles have evolved at Soorma, with Rani now serving as a mentor.
“I share a very good relationship with her because we’ve already played together for a long time for India. For quite some time, we were also captain and vice-captain—around three to four years,” Savita noted. “There are certain things where even without speaking much, there’s a lot of mutual understanding. Today she is our team’s mentor, which is definitely a very good thing for the team.”
Savita believes Rani’s presence is especially beneficial for younger players transitioning into senior-level hockey. “After playing for India for so long, becoming our mentor is extremely beneficial, especially for the young athletes,” she added. “On the field, we have very direct, sharp conversations that are effective for the team. Off the field too, if something comes up, we talk it through and resolve it together.”
Spotlight on Emerging Talent
When discussing the next generation at Soorma, Savita highlighted some promising players. “Definitely Sonam and Hina (Bano), and also Nidhi; for me, she’s a really good goalkeeper. Binima (Dhan) is also a great player,” she mentioned. “This platform gives them a chance. If they perform well here, they know it’s a great opportunity to break into the senior team.”
With the Junior World Cup recently concluded and the HIL underway, Savita feels the timing is ideal. “This is the right time for them to perform well and make their way into the senior side.”
Emphasizing Team Culture
Savita credits Soorma Hockey Club’s culture as essential for individual and collective growth. “Last season was really, really good for us both as a team and as individuals. The environment here helps everyone. Just looking at our staff makes us want to do better because of the support, motivation, and clarity they provide,” she explained.
She praised head coach Jude Menezes, the analytical staff, and the high-performance unit for creating a supportive atmosphere. “I always believe that if the environment is good, then even if I don’t perform well one day, because my team and staff are so supportive, I might not even need a psychologist the next day. I can overcome it myself.”
Discussing the off-the-field atmosphere, Savita noted, “We joke around a lot, which builds strong connections. Players like Baljeet, Nisha, and Mumtaz joined us this season, and we were genuinely happy. We really want to show everyone how good the Soorma environment is.”
Shared Leadership Approach
Sharing captaincy responsibilities has eased pressure on individuals. “For me, it doesn’t really matter whether you are captain or not. What’s important is that if you’re a senior player, you have to take responsibility,” she stated. “Nobody needs to tell you, ‘Savita, you have to do this.’ You learn from your seniors, and it becomes an automatic responsibility.”
She stressed that leadership at Soorma is collective. “Honestly, there is no stress about being captain or co-captain here because everyone is involved in some way. Otherwise, usually the captain carries extra pressure and sometimes can’t play her natural game. That’s not the case here,” Savita shared.
Aiming for World Cup Qualification
With India yet to qualify for next year’s World Cup, Savita made it clear that the team’s mindset is uncompromising. “As players, we are always hopeful. But more than that, in our hearts and minds, there is no other option. For us, it’s a must-win situation—do or die,” she asserted.
She believes the team has the potential to aim higher than mere qualification. “Our target is not just qualification but finishing on the podium. Qualification is just the first step.”
Fitness is also a key focus. “Some players are in rehab, so that’s an area of concern. The HIL is a very good platform just before the qualifiers,” she explained. “When you play with a free mind, you realize your true capacity—and that helps us prepare better for the World Cup.”
Contemplating Retirement
Savita candidly admitted that retirement has crossed her mind a few times. “Honestly, I’ve contemplated retirement twice before,” she said.
The first time was after India failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics. “I thought about retiring after the Paris Olympics because we had so much hope of qualifying. Our preparation was very good, but it was a setback for me. I felt that after so many years of hard work, it was important to end on a good note.”
Family support ultimately motivated her to continue. “If my husband and family are with me, then what is there to fear?” she stated.
The second instance came after the previous HIL season, influenced by family commitments. “I’m a very family-oriented person. My parents have supported me so much, and now my in-laws also need me,” she said.
Looking Ahead
For now, Savita is clear about her immediate future. “Right now, I’m only thinking up to HIL 2026 and then the Asian Games. We’ll see after that. Definitely not LA, but the Asian Games for sure.”
At a stage when many athletes begin to wind down, Savita remains focused, grounded by experience, strengthened by support, and driven by unresolved ambitions in Indian hockey.