Midfielder Nilakanta Sharma of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team achieved a significant milestone during the fourth match of the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament against the Netherlands. He completed 100 International Caps for India, a remarkable achievement in his hockey career.
Hailing from Imphal, Manipur, Nilakanta Sharma’s journey began in the junior set-up, where he showcased his talent and won a Gold medal at the 2015 Junior Asia Cup. He further solidified his position as a promising player by helping the team secure the Junior World Cup title in 2016. Following his impressive performances, he earned his Senior National debut against Belgium during India’s tour of Europe in 2017, and since then, he became a vital player in India’s midfield.
Throughout his career, the 28-year-old midfielder has been part of several significant victories and achievements for the Indian team. He played a crucial role in India’s triumph at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, where the team clinched the title as joint-winners with Pakistan. He was also part of the Gold medal-winning squad at the FIH Men’s Series Finals held in Bhubaneswar in 2019.
One of the highlights of his career was being an integral part of the Indian team’s historic Bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, a momentous achievement for Indian hockey. Additionally, he contributed to the team’s third-place finish at the FIH Hockey Pro League in 2021 and the Silver medal win at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
For his outstanding contributions to the team’s success in the Tokyo Olympics, Nilakanta Sharma received the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2021, recognizing his excellence and dedication to the sport of hockey.
“I wear the Indian jersey with great pride and honour, and it’s a huge moment for me to have represented the nation in 100 International matches. I feel very fortunate to wear this jersey, and I thank each and everyone who has supported me throughout the journey. This feat certainly inspires me to do even better for my team and the nation,” revealed Nilakanta.
Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr. Dilip Tirkey Extends Warmest Congratulations to Youngster Nilakanta Sharma on his Remarkable Accomplishment, “I congratulate Nilakanta on completing 100 International Caps for India. He is one of the promising talents to have emerged from the 2016 Junior World Cup- winning team. He has proved his mettle with some remarkable performances over the past few years. A lot of young hockey players in Manipur look up to him for what he has achieved for the country. I wish Nilakanta the very best for the future.”
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