During the first game of India's tour to Australia, Monika Malik, a midfielder for the Indian women's hockey team, from Chandigarh won her 200th international cap.
The 29 years old, Monika made her international debut against New Zealand in Naples in 2012, and has since been a crucial member of the Indian team. She was a member of the Indian team that took home the bronze medal at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in 2014.
She played a major role in India's historic bronze medal performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and was a member of the squad that won the FIH Nations Cup, ensuring qualifying for the 2023–24 FIH Hockey Pro League.
She also represented her nation in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, which was a historic occasion for India because the women's team finally qualified for the Games after 36 years.
Monika's performance at the 2017 Women's Asia Cup, when India overcame China in the championship match, was crucial to the team's success. She competed for India in the squad that took home the silver medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018. When she was selected for the Tokyo Olympic Games squad, which finished astonishingly fourth, she became a double Olympian.’
“We have been slowly striving to meet our goals, and thus far it has been an amazing trip with the Indian team. It is an honour to receive the 200th match jersey from Chief Coach Janneke Schopman, who has served as a significant source of inspiration for me. I consider myself lucky to have played in 200 international matches with this incredible squad. I appreciate Hockey India and my teammates' support and look forward to many more accomplishments in this significant year," said a delighted Monika.
President of Hockey India Padma Shri Dilip Tirkey congratulated the seasoned midfielder, saying, "I congratulate Monika on attaining this remarkable milestone of playing 200 international matches for the country. Monika has proven that she is a vital member of this thriving squad, and it is a wonderful pleasure to proudly wear the jersey. I wish her well in her remaining relationships.”
