Odisha women hockey Olympian Deep Grace Ekka achieved yet another milestone by playing her 250th international match in the second of the three-game Test Series against Australia at Mate Stadium in Adelaide today. The 28-year-old experienced defender became the third Indian woman to achieve the glorious feat.

It is a different matter that India lost the match 2-3 and the series by conceding a 0-2 lead. Vandana Kataria and Rani Rampal are ahead of Deep Grace with 284 and 254 international caps respectively.

Double Olympian Deep Grace, who hails from Lulkidihi village in Sundargarh district, made her international debut in 2011 during the Four-Nation Tournament in Argentina and since then, she has been an integral part of the national team.

From the SAI-SAG Centre in Odisha, Deep Grace Ekka doubles up as defender and penalty corner specialist. She was part of the Indian team that took part in Rio Olympic Games and Tokyo Olympics 2020.

She was also part of the team that won the bronze medal at the Womens Asia Cup 2013, gold at 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, gold in the Asia Cup in 2017, silver at the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, silver in 18th Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang and bronze in Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

An Arjuna Awardee, Deep Grace also played a key role in India bagging the gold medalat the inaugural FIH Womens Nations Cup in Spain in 2022.
(Graphic: Courtsey _ Hockey India)