Indian Women’s Hockey team midfielder Sushila Chanu completes 200 appearances for the national team

Indian Women’s Hockey team stalwart reached a great landmark of completing 200 games for the national team. The 30-year-old achieved the feat during India’s clash against Germany FIH Hockey Pro League in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

The half back from Imphal has gone through several obstacles yet she has remained relevant in women’s hockey in India. That in all makes this a massive achievement. Sushila has been one of the stalwarts in Indian hockey for the past decade. She even captained the Junior India team that clinched the Bronze in the Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup in Germany in 2013.

Following year she represented India in the Asian Games where again the Indian Eves bagged the Bronze medal. She has featured in several top events and was even the captain of the Indian Women’s team heading into the Rio Olympics back in 2016. That was the Indian Women’s Hockey team’s first appearance since the 1980 Olympics.

Sushila has won several accolades and has seen several downfalls. She is a vital cog in midfield for Schopman. She needs players like Sushila to bring that calmness to this young Indian team. Despite winning several trophies her biggest achievement must be the recent fourth placed finish at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

Speaking on her 200th apperance for the country, the 30-year-old thanked her teammates. She said, “It is truly special for me to complete 200 International Caps at home. It has been a long and very satisfying journey so far. As a team, we have gone through every challenge together as a family. I thank all my teammates, support staff and Hockey India for all their support.”

She also thanked her family for their relentless support and also highlights that her journey is far from over as she is setting new targets in the new Olympic cycle.

“I also thank my family who have stood by my side throughout. Every match I have played for India, I have played with pride of wearing the India colours. I look forward to continue working hard and contribute to the team’s success as we have set new targets in this new Olympic cycle,” she concluded.

India after losing the first game on shootout against Germany in the first match played out yet another draw. But this time the Indian Eves won the shootout 3-0 to get some added points to their FIH Hockey Pro League campaign.