Rutuja Dadaso Pisal’s Personal Details
Name: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal
Date of Birth: 28 November 2002
Birthplace: Kolki Village, Satara District, Maharashtra, India
Position: Forward
Rutuja Dadaso Pisal is an Indian field hockey player who represents the Indian women’s national hockey team as a forward. She was born in Kolki village in Satara district of Maharashtra and grew up in a modest family. From a young age, Rutuja showed strong athletic ability, particularly in running and outdoor sports.
Her sporting journey began when Vikas Bhujbal, a former volleyball player and sports teacher, noticed her running ability and encouraged her to attend a summer athletics camp. Recognizing her potential, he later sent her for selection trials at Krida Prabodhini School in Pune in 2011, a well-known sports training institution. During her training there, she was guided by Olympian and hockey coach Ajit Lakra, who suggested that she take up hockey seriously. This decision eventually shaped her professional sporting career.
Rutuja progressed steadily through the junior hockey system and soon began representing India at the international level. She was part of the Indian team that won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in 2023 at Kakamigahara, Japan, marking an important milestone in her early career.
She also represented India at the FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024 in Oman, where the Indian team finished as runners-up after losing to the Netherlands in the final. During the tournament, Rutuja emerged as India’s second-highest goal scorer, highlighting her strong attacking ability and goal-scoring instincts. Her international journey in Hockey5s had started earlier in 2022 at the Hero FIH Hockey5s tournament in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she first represented India.
At the domestic level, Rutuja plays for Hockey Maharashtra and Union Bank of India in national tournaments. She also represented Odisha Warriors in the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League, where she delivered a remarkable performance by scoring both goals in the final, helping the team win the championship title.
Her consistent performances earned her selection in the Senior Indian National Camp in 2024, and she was included among the core probables for international tournaments. Rutuja made her senior international debut for India against England during the FIH Pro League second leg in Bhubaneswar, where she scored an important equalising goal during the match.
With her speed, attacking strength, and ability to score under pressure, Rutuja Pisal is regarded as one of the promising forwards in Indian women’s hockey and is expected to play an important role in the future of the national team.
Honours & Achievements
Silver Medal – Asia Cup 2025 (Hangzhou)
Gold Medal – Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 (Japan)
Runner-up – FIH Hockey5s World Cup 2024 (Oman)
Champion – Women’s Hockey India League with Odisha Warriors
