Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam has become one of the most experienced players in Indian women’s hockey, with her career spanning more than a decade at the international level. At 34, Chanu has represented India in 262 international matches and continues to contribute to the national team with her experience, defensive awareness and leadership. Hockey India’s official squad profile for the 2026 World Cup listed her with 262 caps and described her as a seasoned campaigner in the Indian defence.
Chanu’s journey to this stage has not been straightforward. Her career began at a time when Indian women’s hockey did not have the same level of professional infrastructure and exposure that young players have today. She grew up in Manipur and developed an interest in hockey at a young age. Her early years in the sport involved learning the game through limited resources before she eventually progressed through the junior system and earned opportunities at the national level.
Her journey also included significant personal and professional challenges. Before becoming an established international player, Chanu had to balance her hockey career with her employment in the Railways. For a period, she worked in Mumbai and performed duties checking railway tickets while continuing to pursue her sporting career. Recent reporting by The Indian Express highlighted how she once had to fit hockey around railway shifts before the demands of international competition eventually allowed her to focus more completely on training.
Chanu’s international career began in 2008 when she represented India at the junior level. She later became an important member of the senior national team and gradually established herself as a reliable defender. Her progress included a bronze medal with the Indian junior team at the 2013 Junior World Cup.
One of the defining moments of her career came in 2016 when she was appointed captain of the Indian women’s hockey team. She led India at the Rio Olympics, where the women’s team returned to the Olympic stage after a gap of 36 years. That achievement remains one of the most significant milestones in Chanu’s career.
Her career has not been free from setbacks. Injuries and periods of poor form have tested her determination. In 2018, she was left out of India’s squads for the Asian Games and the World Cup, a difficult period that made her consider stepping away from hockey. However, encouragement from friends helped convince her to continue.
Instead of giving up, Chanu returned to training with renewed determination. She worked harder to regain her place and eventually returned to the national setup. Her ability to overcome that period became an important part of her career story and helped shape her approach as one of the senior figures in the Indian team.
Over the years, Chanu has also witnessed a transformation in Indian women’s hockey. When she began her career, opportunities for young players were more limited and professional structures were less developed. Today, India has a broader network of academies, better training facilities and greater exposure for young players.
Chanu believes the relationship between senior and junior players has also changed. The older generation once had a greater distance from younger teammates, but she has tried to make the environment more approachable for the players who followed her. Her experience now allows her to guide younger members of the squad rather than simply focusing on her own performances.
Her playing position has changed during her career as well. She began as a side back, later moved into other defensive and midfield roles and now primarily operates as a centre back. Despite these changes, her responsibility within the team has remained largely the same: providing stability, communication and experience in defence.
The 2026 season represents another important stage in her career. Hockey India selected Chanu in India’s squad for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup 2026, listing her alongside several experienced players and a group of younger talents. The official squad profile identified her as a 34 year old defender with 262 international caps.
Her experience is particularly valuable in a squad undergoing generational change. While younger players bring energy and new ideas, experienced players such as Chanu provide knowledge of high pressure international matches. Her ability to read the game and communicate with teammates can be important during difficult moments.
Chanu’s career has also given her the opportunity to play alongside several generations of Indian players. She was once one of the younger members of the squad and later became captain. She now occupies the role of senior campaigner and mentor while the captaincy has moved to Salima Tete.
The change in leadership has not reduced Chanu’s importance to the team. She has indicated that her contribution is not defined only by whether she wears the captain’s armband. Her focus remains on helping the team and speaking up when she sees areas that need improvement.
Her next personal target is reaching 300 international caps. With 262 appearances already recorded, Chanu still has a considerable number of matches to play before reaching that milestone. Rather than looking too far ahead, however, she has emphasised the importance of concentrating on the present and preparing for the tournaments immediately in front of her.
The pursuit of 300 caps would represent another significant achievement in a career that has already included an Olympic appearance as captain, a junior World Cup medal and more than 250 senior international matches.
Chanu’s journey also demonstrates the changing landscape of Indian women’s hockey. Her early career required her to balance sport with employment responsibilities, while the current generation has access to a more structured high performance environment. Her career therefore connects two different eras of Indian hockey.
At 34, Chanu remains focused on contributing rather than simply celebrating past achievements. Her experience, defensive understanding and leadership continue to give her a role within the national team.
The road to 300 international caps will depend on selection, fitness and the demands of the international calendar. But the target itself reflects the longevity Chanu has achieved at the highest level.
From difficult beginnings and railway duties to captaining India at the Olympics and reaching 262 international appearances, Sushila Chanu’s career has been built on persistence. Her next chapter is about remaining focused on the present while continuing to work towards another major milestone.
For Indian women’s hockey, her story represents more than individual longevity. It is also a record of how the sport has evolved and how one generation of players has helped create a stronger pathway for those coming next.