Pooja Yadav, 21, who hails from the outskirts of Varanasi has become not only the first woman from Varanasi but also the first ever woman from Purvanchal region to get selected into the Indian women’s senior national hockey team.
Pooja Yadav has been selected for the senior Indian Women’s squad for the upcoming tour of Australia that starts from 26th April to 4th May 2025 at the Perth Hockey Stadium, Australia.
She has been training in the senior national camp in SAI, Bengaluru over the past few weeks and her efforts have earned her a spot in the 26-member Indian Women’s Hockey squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.
Preparations are in full swing as we gear up for the Australia tour! 🏑
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) April 16, 2025
Our Indian Women’s Team goalkeepers are putting in the hard yards under the expert guidance of Simon Zijp as they prepare to take on the Aussies.
Locked in. Fired up. Ready for the challenge Down Under.… pic.twitter.com/mMc0HGXrzb
What Pooja Yadav has to say on her selection?
Reflecting on her selection, Pooja said, “It was an incredible feeling when I learnt that I have been selected in the national squad. Everyone from back home started calling me. My parents and siblings were especially overjoyed because something like this seemed impossible before, but now they are proud that I have made it.”
“ I am very proud that I am the first woman player from Purvanchal to make it to the Indian team. I hope my selection acts as an inspiration for other girls from rural areas that even they can reach great heights and they should not suppress their dreams. I urge their families to support them because, with enough training and hard work, we can see more women players emerging from Purvanchal,” she added.
Pooja was first selected in the 65-member core probable group and has been training with the senior players since 23rd March 2025. Talking about her experience in the training camp, she said, “It has been a wonderful experience so far training with the senior players. Just observing their work and following along has helped me improve my game by leaps and bounds. Everyone is very easy to talk to and they constantly teach us ways we can improve.”
Pooja also highlighted the impact her roommate, Neha, has had on her so far. “Since I am a midfielder, I used to always look up to Sushila di and Neha di and now training alongside them is a dream come true. Neha di is also my roommate in the camp and she has mentored me very well, not just on the field but off it as well. She has helped me with my diet, revising game strategies and has given me a lot of insightful knowledge from her experience playing for India over the years.”
Pooja hails from a rural village on the outskirts of Varanasi and comes from humble background. In 2022, Pooja first got selected in the junior squad of Uttar Pradesh Hockey and then made it into the senior squad of her state team. Although she hasn’t played for the Indian junior team, her strong performances at the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2025 earned her a spot in the senior national camp.
Talking about her early years, Pooja said, “ I used to play a lot of cricket when I was a kid but my interest in hockey started when I played in my school next to my house. I started playing in 2015, first representing the state junior team, and later the senior team. I narrowly missed selection for the Indian junior team on several occasions, however, I am glad that everything worked out and I directly made it into the senior squad.”
“My focus for now is to do well and make the most of whatever opportunities I get in the Australia tour. I need to make sure that I play well and stay in the squad for the FIH Hockey Pro League matches coming ahead,” Pooja concluded.
The schedule of India tour of Australia is as follows:
Match 1- India vs Australia A- Saturday 26 Apr 2025
Match 2- India vs Australia A- Sunday 27 Apr 2025
Match 3- India vs Australia- Thursday 01 May 2025
Match 4- India vs Australia- Saturday 03 May 2025
Match 5- India vs Australia- Sunday 04 May 2025
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