# Pyari Xaxa

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**Pyari Xaxa** (born 18 May 1997) is an Indian professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who plays as a [forward](/source/Forward_(association_football)) for the [Indian Women's League](/source/Indian_Women's_League) club [Nita](/source/Nita_Football_Academy) and the [India national team](/source/India_women's_national_football_team).

Pyari is widely regarded as one of India's most dynamic and prolific attackers, known for her speed, sharp positioning, and clinical finishing. Her pace and attacking threat have often been cited as major assets for the national team, with some calling her the *Ferrari* of the Indian women's side due to her speed.[2][3]

Pyari is a two-time [Indian Women's League](/source/Indian_Women's_League) champion and a [National Games](/source/National_Games_of_India) gold medalist, underlining her consistency and success at both club and state levels. Over the years, she has been recognised for her outstanding performances with several individual honours, including the [AIFF Women's Promising Player of the Year](/source/AIFF_Player_of_the_Year_Awards) (2015), the *Indian Football Fans’ Player of the Year* (2020–21), and the [FPAI Indian Women's Player of the Year](/source/FPAI_Indian_Player_of_the_Year) (2025).

## Early life

Pyari hails from Jhartarang in the [Sundergarh district](/source/Sundergarh_district) of [Odisha](/source/Odisha). Her first formal club involvement was with a local club called Kunwarmunda (also spelled "Kumarmunda" or "Kuarmunda") in Odisha, where she played in her formative years.[4] This early environment, playing often alongside boys in her village, gave her game-time, development and exposure.[2]

## Club career

### Rising Students Club

In 2016, Pyari was signed by Rising Students Club, an Odisha-based club, to play in the [inaugural edition](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Indian_Women's_League) of the [Indian Women's League](/source/Indian_Women's_League).

In the [2016–17 Indian Women's League](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Indian_Women's_League) season, Pyari made a major impact, where she scored a total of 14 goals (10 in the preliminary round and 4 in the final round), helping her team reach the final, though they lost to [Eastern Sporting Union](/source/Eastern_Sporting_Union). This performance underlined her goal-scoring ability and marked her as one of the emerging forwards in Indian women's football.[5]

After an impressive inaugural IWL campaign where Pyari scored 14 goals and helped her side reach the final, she continued her fine form into the [2017–18 Indian Women's League](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Indian_Women's_League), scoring 3 goals. Her contributions were vital as [Rising Students Club](/source/Rising_Students_Club) went on to win the league title, defeating [Eastern Sporting Union](/source/Eastern_Sporting_Union) in the final.[5]

### Sports Odisha

Ahead of the [2021–22 Indian Women's League](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Indian_Women's_League), Pyari represented and captained [Odisha Police](/source/Odisha_Police), leading the team to the [2021–22 Odisha Women's League](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Odisha_Women's_League) title. Her four crucial goals played a key role in their championship-winning campaign, which also secured qualification for the [2021–22 Indian Women's League](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Indian_Women's_League). Pyari joined the [Sports Odisha](/source/Government_of_Odisha) for the 2021–22 IWL season. During the season, Pyari recorded 12 goals in 10 appearances, once again proving to be one of the most consistent forwards in the Indian women's circuit.

### Odisha FC Women

In mid-2022, Pyari Xaxa became the first-ever signing for [Odisha FC Women](/source/Odisha_FC_Women), the women's team of the [Indian Super League](/source/Indian_Super_League) club [Odisha FC](/source/Odisha_FC).[6] Since joining, she has established herself as one of the side's most influential players, leading the attack with consistency and an exceptional scoring record.

During the [2022–23 Odisha Women's League](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Odisha_Women's_League), clubs first ever participation in a league, Pyari was in outstanding form, scoring 11 goals and guiding Odisha FC Women to their maiden regional title. Despite missing the [2022–23 Indian Women's League](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Indian_Women's_League) season due to a knee injury that required surgery in January 2023, she remained a key figure off the field. Her recovery was further challenged by a setback while attempting an early return to action.[3]

Fully fit again, Pyari returned for the [2023–24 Indian Women's League](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Indian_Women's_League) season, where she rediscovered her scoring touch, netting 8 goals to finish as Odisha FC Women's top scorer and joint second-highest overall in the league. Her efforts played a pivotal role in helping the club secure its first-ever Indian Women's League championship. After an outstanding 2023–24 season, Pyari won the *[2025 FPAI Indian Player of the Year](/source/FPAI_Indian_Player_of_the_Year)* award and was also nominated for the *2024 Women's Footballer of the Year* award by [Times of India Sports Awards](/source/Times_of_India_Sports_Awards).[7][8]

With 31 goals in 30 appearances, Pyari Xaxa currently stands as the all-time leading goalscorer for Odisha FCW.

## International career

Xaxa made her senior international debut in 2014, featuring for the [India U19](/source/India_women's_national_under-20_football_team) side during the [2015 AFC U-19 Women's Championship qualification](/source/2015_AFC_U-19_Women's_Championship_qualification) campaign.[9]

Pyari made her senior India debut in 2015, at the age of 18, and has since become a regular member of the national team setup. She was a part of the team that won gold medal at the [2016 South Asian Games](/source/2016_South_Asian_Games) in [Shillong](/source/Shillong).[4] In recognition of her promise and performances, Pyari was awarded the [2015 AIFF Women's Promising Player of the Year](/source/AIFF_Player_of_the_Year_Awards).[10]

Despite her talent, Pyari's international journey has not been entirely smooth. She missed selection for a 30-member India squad ahead of the [2024 AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament](/source/2024_AFC_Women's_Olympic_Qualifying_Tournament) due to injury.

Her prolific performance in June 2025, helped India qualify for the [2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup](/source/2026_AFC_Women's_Asian_Cup). In recognition of her performances for both club and country, Pyari was adjudged the [FPAI Indian Women's Player of the Year](/source/FPAI_Indian_Player_of_the_Year).

## Career statistics

### International

National team Year Caps Goals India 2015 1 0 2016 2 0 2017 1 2 2018 3 0 2019 2 1 2021 11 4 2022 2 0 2023 1 0 2024 8 6 2025 8 5 2026 6 2 Total 45 20

- *Scores and results list India's goal tally first.*

List of international goals scored by Pyari Xaxa No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 31 July 2017 MP Selayang Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia 1–0 2–0 Friendly 2. 2–0 3. 23 January 2019 Hong Kong Hong Kong 1–0 1–0 4. 23 February 2021 Gold City Sports Complex, Kargıcak, Turkey Ukraine 1–0 2–3 2021 Turkish Women's Cup 5. 2 October 2021 Theyab Awana Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates 2–0 4–1 Friendly 6. 10 October 2021 Hamad Town Stadium, Hamad Town, Bahrain Bahrain 2–0 5–0 7. 4–0 8. 21 February 2024 Gold City Sports Complex, Alanya, Turkey Estonia 3–1 4–3 2024 Turkish Women's Cup 9. 9 July 2024 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar Myanmar 1–1 1–2 Friendly 10. 12 July 2024 1–0 1–1 11. 30 December 2024 Padukone – Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru, India MDV 1–0 14–0 12. 2–0 13. 4–0 14. 23 June 2025 700th Anniversary Stadium, Chiang Mai, Thailand Mongolia 3–0 13–0 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification 15. 4–0 16. 5–0 17. 6–0 18. 8–0 19. 25 May 2026 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, India MDV 3–0 11–0 2026 SAFF Women's Championship 20. 31 May 2026 Bangladesh 1–0 3–0

## Honours

**India**

- [South Asian Games](/source/Football_at_the_South_Asian_Games): [2016](/source/Football_at_the_2016_South_Asian_Games_%E2%80%93_Women's_tournament)[11]
- [Turkish Women's Cup](/source/Turkish_Women's_Cup): [2024](/source/2024_Turkish_Women's_Cup) (runner-up)

**Odisha**

- [Indian Women's League](/source/Indian_Women's_League): [2023–24](/source/2023%E2%80%9324_Indian_Women's_League)[12]
- [Odisha Women's League](/source/Odisha_Women's_League): [2022–23](/source/2022%E2%80%9323_Odisha_Women's_League)

**Rising Students**

- [Indian Women's League](/source/Indian_Women's_League): [2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Indian_Women's_League_season), [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Indian_Women's_League_season) (runner-up)
- [Odisha Women's League](/source/Odisha_Women's_League): [2017](/source/Odisha_Women's_League#Championships)

**Odisha Police**

- [Odisha Women's League](/source/Odisha_Women's_League): [2021–22](/source/2021%E2%80%9322_Odisha_Women's_League)

**Odisha (State)**

- [Rajmata Jijabai Trophy](/source/Rajmata_Jijabai_Trophy): [2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_Rajmata_Jijabai_Trophy) (runner-up)
- [Junior Girls' National Football Championship](/source/Junior_Girls'_National_Football_Championship): 2013–14 (runner-up)
- [National Games](/source/National_Games_of_India): [2023](/source/2023_National_Games_of_India), [2022](/source/2022_National_Games_of_India) (runner-up), [2025](/source/2025_National_Games_of_India) (runner-up)

**Individual**

- [AIFF Women's Promising Player of the Year](/source/AIFF_Player_of_the_Year_Awards): [2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_in_Indian_football)[10]
- [FPAI Indian Player of the Year](/source/FPAI_Indian_Player_of_the_Year): [2024–25](/source/2024%E2%80%9325_in_Indian_football)[7]
- [Indian Football Fans' Player of the Year](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_in_Indian_football): [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_in_Indian_football)[13]
- Ekalabya Puraskar (Odisha): 2021, 2022
- GrandQueens Leadership Award for Women in Sports: 2023

## References

1. ["2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup Squad Lists"](https://assets.the-afc.com/2026_AFC_Womens_Asian_Cup/Finals/Squad_Lists/AFC-Women's-Asian-Cup-Australia-2026%E2%84%A2-Final-Registration---Feb-25upd.pdf?source=url). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 27 February 2026.

1. ["'I had no idea I would play for India': Pyari Xaxa reflects on her journey"](https://thebridge.in/football/pyari-xaxa-ofcw-exclusive-interview-46822). 9 April 2024. Retrieved 9 April 2024.

1. ["Indian Football: Pyari Xaxa, the ‘Ferrari’ of the women’s team is ready to shine at Asian Games 2023"](https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/indian-womens-football-team-asian-games-pyari-xaxa-return-injury-odisha-fc-preparatio/article67317760.ece). *[Sportstar](/source/Sportstar)*. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.

1. ["Pyari Xaxa"](http://orisports.com/PersonDetails.aspx?pId=MTA0MA==). orisports.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170218135740/http://orisports.com/PersonDetails.aspx?pId=MTA0MA==) 18 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 February 2017.

1. ["How local players spurred Odisha's Rising Student Club to Indian Women's League title"](https://www.firstpost.com/sports/how-local-players-spurred-odishas-rising-student-club-to-indian-womens-league-title-4445703.html). 27 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.

1. ["OFC Women sign National Team forward, Pyari."](https://odishafc.com/news/details/ofc-women-sign-national-team-forward-pyari). *odishafc.com*. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.

1. ["Sunil Chhetri, Pyari Xaxa receive FPAI’s top awards"](https://www.news9live.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-pyari-xaxa-receive-fpais-top-awards-2874464). *news9live.com*. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.

1. ["TOISA 2024 Nominees: Celebrating excellence in football"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/toisa-2024-nominees-celebrating-excellence-in-football/articleshow/118349706.cms). *[Times of India](/source/Times_of_India)*. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2025.

1. ["A youthful breeze flows in the Indian Women's National Team"](https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6987). *All India Football Federation*. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2017.

1. ["Eugenson Lyngdoh voted '2015 AIFF Player of the Year'"](https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6879). *the-aiff.com*. 20 December 2015. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171026005737/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6879) 26 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 11 July 2019.

1. ["20 selected in Indian squad for 12th South Asian Games"](https://www.the-aiff.com/article/20-selected-in-indian-squad-for-12th-south-asian-games). *AIFF*. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2023.

1. ["Odisha FC take home the IWL trophy with stunning ease"](https://i-league.org/odisha-fc-take-home-the-iwl-trophy-with-stunning-ease/). *i-league.org*. I-League. 24 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.

1. "Pyari Xaxa". No. 1418571873441312769. 23 July 2021.

## External links

- [Pyari Xaxa](https://www.the-aiff.com/players/profile/57362?type=club) at All India Football Federation

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pyari Xaxa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyari_Xaxa) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyari_Xaxa?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.