Football’s loss, hockey’s gain: How Bichu Devi became custodian of Indian fortunes

Bichu Devi, a goalkeeper from Manipur, has become a crucial player for the Indian women's hockey team. In the Women’s Hockey World Cup, Bichu's last-gasp save against England helped India advance to the second round. Her partnership with veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia, who has been her understudy for three years, is described as "telepathic."

Bichu, who initially wanted to play football, switched to hockey after missing out on a vacancy for the Indian women's football team. She initially played as a forward before being persuaded by P Nilakomol Singh to become a goalkeeper. Bichu spent time improving her Hindi skills at the Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy to better communicate with her teammates.

Her career has been marked by patience, which she developed under the guidance of coaches like Janneke Schopman and her current coach, Sjoerd Marjine. Bichu's performance at the World Cup led India to a historic fifth-place finish.