Vandana Kataria, India’s first female player to reach 300 international matches

Ranchi: Vandana Kataria, the prominent forward player of the Indian women’s hockey team, etched her name in the annals of sports history as she celebrated her 300th international cap during the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023. With this remarkable achievement, Vandana Kataria becomes the first Indian female athlete to reach the milestone of 300 international matches, marking a momentous occasion in Indian sports.

The historic feat was accomplished during India’s game against Japan at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, an event that garnered recognition and applause from across the nation. In honor of this achievement, Vandana Kataria was presented with a special cap and vest on Tuesday.

The felicitation ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Minister Banna Gupta, Minister Badal Patralekh, former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, and Hockey India General Secretary Bholanath Singh.

Vandana Kataria, who originally hails from Roshanabad, Uttarakhand, came into the spotlight as the leading scorer for the Indian team in the Junior Women’s World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany, where she played a pivotal role in securing a bronze medal for her team. Her excellence also played a crucial role in India’s historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she notably became the first Indian female hockey player to score a hat-trick in the Olympic Games. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the sport, Vandana Kataria was honored with the prestigious Padmashree award in 2022.

Her illustrious career is further highlighted by her participation in the Indian team’s victories at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy and the 2017 Women’s Asia Cup. Speaking about her remarkable journey and reaching the 300-match milestone, Vandana Kataria expressed her gratitude for representing India at both national and international levels. She emphasized that earning her 300th cap was a special moment and a memory that would stay with her for a long time. Vandana acknowledged the unwavering support from her family and the sense of camaraderie within the team, considering them her extended family. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of staying focused on upcoming matches and delivering stellar performances.