The Indian women’s hockey team may have settled for silver at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 after a 1-4 defeat to China in the final, but defender Udita Duhan stood tall, bringing pride to the nation by being named Player of the Tournament.
The Jalandhar-based player’s tenacity and defensive brilliance drew admiration throughout the tournament, marking her as one of India’s most reliable performers. “We played some very good hockey as a unit and showed a lot of character in tough matches. Our victories against Korea and Japan gave us confidence. Unfortunately, the final didn’t go our way, but this silver is a step forward and motivates us for bigger challenges,” Udita said after the match.
Her achievement has brought double celebrations to her family. Udita’s husband, Mandeep Singh, a key player in India’s men’s hockey team, had earlier secured gold at the Asia Cup after defeating South Korea. With two medals in the same household, her in-laws Ravinder Singh and Davinderjit Kaur said the family was “overjoyed,” calling Udita’s Player of the Tournament award the icing on the cake.
Udita credited her success to the unwavering support of her family, especially during long training stints in Bengaluru. Sharing the same profession, she and Mandeep often exchange tactical insights and discuss strengths on the field. Beyond hockey, Udita says her bond with her mother-in-law is like that of a daughter, describing her family’s encouragement as a cornerstone of her journey.
Though the women’s team missed out on World Championship qualification, Udita’s individual feat has earned her national recognition, underscoring her growing stature in Indian hockey.