BENGALURU (India) – Pushpa Senthil Kumar's journey in basketball began unexpectedly; she first encountered the sport during Class 10. Now, she is a recognized member of the Indian national team, poised to lead Indian Railways onto the Asian club stage.
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Growing up in Mudikandanallur, Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district, Pushpa and her elder sister Sathiya initially played netball at a Sports Authority of India hostel in Mayiladuthurai. After netball was discontinued, they transitioned to basketball, a move that suited Pushpa remarkably well.
Her breakthrough came in 2017 when she represented Tamil Nadu at the Senior Nationals, helping the team secure fifth place. The following year, Tamil Nadu improved to runners-up. In 2019, Pushpa joined Indian Railways, a pivotal decision that changed her life both on and off the court. After her father's passing in 2012, her mother, Manjula, had worked tirelessly in a garment factory to support the family. Obtaining a job with Railways allowed her mother some much-needed respite after years of financial struggle.
On the court, Pushpa's career progressed rapidly. She represented India in various youth teams, notably averaging 13.2 points and 13.2 rebounds at the FIBA U16 Women's Asia Championship Division B in 2017, held at Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium—the same venue for the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball League Asia 2026. By 2021, she advanced to the senior Indian team and participated in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division A, averaging 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in four games.
Her most impactful performance came during the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025-Division B, where she averaged 14.2 points and 6.6 rebounds, leading the team in efficiency and rebounding while finishing second in scoring with two standout 23-point games against Kazakhstan and Thailand.
Pushpa's club, Indian Railways, recently entered WBL Asia 2026 after securing victory in the Senior Nationals Final against Kerala, where she scored 22 points. Her consistent performance continued in April, where she also scored 22 points in the Feasto Golden Jubilee Basketball Tournament Final, contributing to South Central Railways' 66-55 win over KSEB, earning her the women's MVP title.
Now, as she prepares to compete against Asia's best, Pushpa's extensive experience with the Indian national team will be invaluable in this new challenge. What started as a shift from netball to basketball has turned into a remarkable journey for this young player, who has now emerged as a top competitor on the international stage, returning to the venue where it all began for her.