Hockey India Congratulations to veteran striker Rani on completing 250 international caps on Saturday. He achieved this incredible milestone during India’s match against Belgium in the FIH Hockey Pro League match in Antwerp, Belgium.
Rani, who has suffered a prolonged injury after the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020, is making a comeback for Team India with her first appearance in more than ten months.
An emotional Rani, who was brought in by Indian women’s team head coach Jeanneke Schopman before the game, said, “It has been a very challenging year for me to deal with a prolonged injury, but one thing that kept me going. Extended, that was the desire to wear India’s jersey once again.”
“I have worked very hard for this moment and I am very grateful to Hockey India and” Play Authorization for their continued support and for allowing me to work with the best physio during my rehabilitation process. I am also very grateful to the entire coaching staff and my teammates who have constantly inspired me, supported me over the last one year.”
“It’s a very special moment for me. I consider it the second innings of my career and it’s doubly special that I’m back to play my 250th match for the country against a strong opponent like Belgium. A milestone to remember,” Rani said.
In a career spanning over 12 years, Rani has led the Indian team to a number of successes, including a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics last year. She made her international debut in 2009 at the age of 15 at the Champions Challenge, becoming the youngest player to represent the national team.
Hailing from Shahbad Markanda, Haryana, she became the first Indian female hockey player to be nominated for the FIH Women’s Young Player of the Year Award.
She was also awarded “Best Young Player of the Tournament” in 2010 Women’s Hockey World Cup in Argentina. It was under her captaincy that India created history as they won the Women’s Asia Cup in 2017 after 13 long years. Under her captaincy, the team qualified for the quarter-finals of the Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup London 2018 and also won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
Rani was also honored with Arjuna Award in 2016, World Sports Athlete of the Year 2019, Hockey India Award for Best Female Player of the Year 2019, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 2020 and Padma Shri Award 2020. He also led the team. Victory in the 2019 FIH Series Finals and was a catalyst in ensuring that the Indian team made it to the back-to-back Olympic Games with their stellar performances in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in front of a home crowd in Bhubaneswar, where they defeated USA.
Congratulating Rani, head coach Janneke Schopman said, “Rani’s incredible journey from a very difficult financial situation in Shahbad to one of the most successful hockey players of her time has inspired many young players in India. . After a prolonged injury period, he has worked very hard over the past year to get his India jersey back. He is a very determined and hardworking player and I wish him all the best as well as congratulate him on achieving this incredible feat.
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