At just 14, Anushka Kumari has already become a name to watch in Indian women’s football. With 10 goals in seven international appearances, she has powered India’s U-17 team to a commanding run at the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship, signaling the arrival of a prodigy whose rise is as unlikely as it is inspiring.
A Hat-Trick That Announced Her Arrival
Against Bhutan, Kumari delivered a dazzling 19-minute hat-trick — a thunderous free-kick into the roof of the net, followed by two precise strikes into the corners. India cruised to an 8–0 victory, their third consecutive win in Thimphu, and Kumari surged ahead in the Golden Boot race. By the tournament’s end, she had scored eight goals, finishing as the top scorer.
Roots in Jharkhand, Dreams Beyond
Born in Rukka, a village in Jharkhand, Kumari’s journey has been shaped by hardship. The daughter of laborers, she watched her mother carry the family after her father’s injury left him unable to work. She first picked up the ball at six, imitating her sisters on local fields. By 11, she had joined the Residential Girls Football Centre in Hazaribagh, where her raw ability caught the eye of scouts at the Sub Junior Nationals.
A Pattern of Consistency
This is not her first tournament breakthrough. At 13, she was joint top-scorer at the 2024 SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship in Nepal, finding the net in every match despite India’s runner-up finish. Her consistency across age levels has made her one of the brightest attacking prospects in South Asia.
A Symbol of Possibility
Kumari’s story is not just about goals; it is about what persistence and opportunity can unlock. From village fields to international arenas, she has become emblematic of the promise of women’s football in India. As the U-17 team continues its surge, Kumari’s trajectory points toward a future where she may carry the blue jersey far beyond regional tournaments.
