ACW: Savita is the first goalkeeper to lead India at Asia Cup in her record fourth appearance

K ARUMUGAM

Savita Punia, captain of the Indian team that will defend the Women’s Asia Cup title in Muscat, makes two landmark achievements along with the leadership role – she is the first goalkeeper to lead India at the Asia Cup,  and secondly is only the second Indian women hockey player after Surinder Kaur to figure in a record fourth Asia Cup.

Captaincy most often went to forwards. Surajlata Devi and Rani Rampal were forwards who led India to their Asia Cup titles in 2004 and 2017 respectively.

Incidentally, Savita also is the ninth captain in as many Asia Cup editions that India have participated in.

Another achievement by Savita concerns her longevity. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic sensation is only the second Indian to play in a record four Asia Cups. The Hissar-born Savita made her tournament debut in 2009 under the leadership of her statemate Surinder Kaur and has been part of all Asia Cup editions since then.

Savita has been the pillar of Indian women’s hockey in the last 13 years, especially in shootouts and the penalty-corner defence.

Her prowess in either game situation has brought the nation laurels aplenty. The last Asia Cup success came via the shootout against China five years ago.

And who can forget her spectacular show to thwart a rampaging Australia in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic quarterfinal which India won by a solitary goal?

In form, and with a wealth of experience, Savita is expected to play a major role in India’s defence of the Asia Cup title.

Not to mention anchoring the team’s bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup by finishing among the top four in Muscat.