Bansari Solanki’s Personal Details
Name: Bansari Solanki
Date of Birth: 24 May 2001
Birthplace: Surat, Gujarat, India
Position: Goalkeeper
Bansari Solanki hails from Surat, Gujarat. She initially began playing Hockey in Class 8 as a defender. However, during a school tournament when the team lacked a goalkeeper, her coach convinced her to try the role. That unexpected shift behind the pads would eventually shape her career.
Her performance caught the attention of former Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay, who was then the Executive Director of the hockey programme at the Sports Authority of Gujarat. Following this recognition, she moved to Vadodara to further develop her skills. At the age of 17, Solanki shifted to Delhi, where she trained under coach Romeo James at the National Hockey Academy. Alongside her sporting journey, she completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
Solanki has steadily built her reputation as a promising goalkeeper in Indian hockey. She represented SG Pipers in the 2025-26 Women’s Hero Hockey India League, where she played a crucial role in the team’s title-winning campaign. Her standout performances in goal helped the franchise lift their maiden league title, and she was awarded the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament. During the league, she was mentored by former Indian goalkeeper Helen Mary.
Her international journey began in August 2023 when she represented India in the Women’s Hockey5s Asia Cup in Salalah, Oman, where the team won gold. Solanki was recognised as the Best Rising Goalkeeper of the tournament.
In January 2024, she was part of the Indian squad that finished silver medalists at the FIH Hockey5s World Cup in Muscat, Oman. Later in 2024, she made her debut for the Indian senior women’s team during the FIH Hockey Pro League (2023-24 season).
In 2025, she travelled with the Indian team to the Women’s Asia Cup in Gongshu, China, though she did not feature in any matches. Bansari Solanki is the first female hockey player from Gujarat to represent India.
