'I feel proud of myself': Basketball player Pushpa Senthil Kumar's journey from learning to leading

BENGALURU: Nearly a decade ago, Pushpa Senthil Kumar stood at the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium here, grappling with the nerves of captaining an Indian team for the first time. On her return to the same venue, she was no longer the uncertain teenager seeking guidance, but a 25-year-old leading Indian Railways against Asia’s best. The results were disappointing, with her team losing all three matches in the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Asia, but the return offered a moment to reflect on how far she had come.She had represented India at the U-16 level at the venue in 2017 and remembers the nervousness of captaining a team at that age, as well as the support she received from coach Zoran Visic. He helped her navigate an environment where communicating with teammates and coaches was challenging, and now she is a more confident skipper.“I feel proud of myself because the coaches believed in me. I was young and nervous back then. But my coach always backed me and turned me into a confident player and leader. And now, I am more experienced, and I trust my players and give them confidence. When we are low and feel like giving up, I support my teammates,” she told TOI.That confidence was hard-earned. Growing up in Mudikandanallur, a village in Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam district, Pushpa initially took up netball at a Sports Authority of India hostel in Mayiladuthurai, alongside her elder sister Sathiya. When netball opportunities dwindled, she turned to basketball. What began as a change of sport eventually led to a career and a place on the national team.Her international career began at the 2017 U-16 Women’s Asia Championship Division B, where she averaged 13.2 points and 13.2 rebounds. She moved to the U-18 team the following year and then made her senior debut at the 2021 Women’s Asia Cup Division A. At the 2025 Asia Cup Division B, she averaged 14.2 points and 6.6 rebounds, establishing herself as one of India’s key players.Off the court, sport also brought financial stability to her family. After her father’s death, her mother worked in a garment factory to support her daughters. Pushpa secured a Railways job in 2019.“I told my mother that I would take care of her because of our family situation, and the sport and Railways have helped me fulfil my responsibilities,” she added.As captain of a young team, Pushpa is equally conscious of the responsibility she carries. Seeing many youngsters come in, she wants the next generation to approach the game with greater belief and determination. “We have to focus and believe in ourselves,” she said.Her ambition is straightforward: to see India win more often. She believes the defeats in Bengaluru should serve as lessons, not setbacks, and adds, “I want us to win more. Women’s basketball has been going down, and we have to improve.”For a player who once arrived at the venue unsure how to lead, the journey has shown growth, responsibility, and belief, leaving her determined to help India win more often and turn lessons into results.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.