According to the Hockey India news release, Deepika, who was recently named the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21), is eager to make her mark at the top level and is regarded as one of the most talented and exciting young players in the lineup.

In addition, Hockey India awarded the 21-year-old Hisar native a monetary reward of INR 10,000,000. Deepika, a striker who is adept at finding the goal, was thrilled to get recognition for her work.

“A significant turning point in my career was receiving the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21).” For young athletes like myself, this type of recognition is very motivating and will inspire us to put in more effort every time we go onto the field. According to the Hockey India news release, Deepika said, “This award is not just mine; everyone who has helped me along the way has contributed to my success. I am sincerely appreciative of this support system.”

Since her hero, Savita, received the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women) the same year, Deepika’s win of the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21) was an emotional milestone.

“At a very young age, before I even knew sports could be a profession, I would rush to Hisar training center to celebrate whenever the Indian women’s team returned from an international tournament,” Deepika said, reflecting on her passion for Savita Punia. The most treasured memories of my life were cheering for the players and twirling stars like Savita, whom I loved.”

She also said that she would never leave her hockey stick alone after meeting Savita, often sleeping with it in hopes of wearing the Indian jersey someday. Her next major objective, now that she has realized her desire, is to place third in the World Cup and win India’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s hockey.

Deepika was a vital member of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s gold-winning effort in the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024. She won bronze at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the 2022 Asia Cup.

In addition to scoring the game’s lone goal against China, Deepika finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with 11 goals. With 17 goals in 26 games, she concluded 2024 as the third-highest goal scorer in women’s hockey, behind only Yibbi Jansen of the Netherlands (29 goals) and Ambre Ballenghien of Belgium (19 goals). Deepika, an important part of Harendra Singh’s team, is eager to take on the challenges that lie ahead.

Deepika is optimistic that the Indian Women’s Hockey squad can provide the type of results that are much needed in what will be a significant year for the squad. “With World Cup qualification on the line as well, the Women’s Asia Cup later this year will be a big tournament for us,” she added. We are all preparing for the competition as a team, and Harendra Sir has been making sure we have everything covered.”