Indian Women’s Hockey Team defender Nikki Pradhan reached a significant milestone of 200 International Caps during the team’s match against Wales in the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026 in Hyderabad, Telangana. Pradhan, who hails from Jharkhand, made her international debut during the India Tour of South Africa in 2016 and has since been a consistent presence in the Indian defense across various major tournaments. She also holds the distinction of being the first female hockey player from Jharkhand to represent India at the Olympics, having competed in both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
The 32-year-old defender, Nikki Pradhan, has been a key player in several remarkable achievements for the national team. Her successful outings include winning Gold at the 2017 Women’s Asia Cup, Silver at the 2018 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, Gold at the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023, and Silver at the Women’s Asia Cup Gongshu 2025. Pradhan has also showcased her skills at global events like the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Women’s Hockey World Cup in London, contributing significantly to India’s performances.
Apart from her international success, Nikki Pradhan played a pivotal role in India’s qualification for the Tokyo Olympics during the FIH Olympic Qualifiers against the United States. She was part of the squad that secured a historic Silver Medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang and was also instrumental in India’s victory at the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2022 in Spain. Her consistent performance and dedication to the sport have earned her praise from Hockey India officials, with president Dilip Tirkey and secretary general Bhola Nath Singh commending her resilience, discipline, and invaluable contribution to Indian hockey.
