Chak De! India begins amidst the thrilling final moments of a fictional Hockey World Cup clash between Pakistan and India, where Pakistan holds a precarious lead of 1-0. In a pivotal moment, Indian team captain Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) decides to take a penalty stroke after being fouled. Unfortunately, his attempt soars above the goal, leading to a devastating defeat for India.
In the aftermath, a photograph surfaces of Khan shaking hands with the captain of the Pakistan team, which sparks a widespread smear campaign. Accusations fly, suggesting that Khan, being a Muslim, might have intentionally thrown the game out of sympathy for his rivals. This societal prejudice forces both him and his mother, Joyoshree Arora, out of their ancestral home, plunging them into exile.
Seven years later, Mr. Tripathi (Anjan Srivastav), head of India's Hockey Association, finds himself in a meeting with Khan's friend and hockey enthusiast Uttamaji (Mohit Chauhan). They discuss the prospects of the Indian women's hockey team, with Tripathi expressing his skepticism about its potential, claiming that women's roles are primarily to "cook and clean." However, Uttamaji reveals that Kabir Khan, who has remained out of the public eye for seven years, is willing to take the helm as their coach. Tripathi, after some hesitation, agrees.
Thus, Khan steps into the challenge of coaching a diverse group of sixteen young women, each hailing from different parts of India, each grappling with their individual rivalries and biases. Among them, Komal Chautala (Chitrashi Rawat) from Haryana clashes with Preeti Sabarwal (Sagarika Ghatge) from Chandigarh. Meanwhile, Punjab's fiery Balbir Kaur (Tanya Abrol) bullies Rani Dispotta (Seema Azmi) and Soimoi Kerketa (Nisha Nair), who come from remote villages in Jharkhand. Mary Ralte (Kimi Laldawla) from Mizoram and Molly Zimik (Masochon "Chon Chon" Zimik) from Manipur face discrimination, being treated as "foreigners" by their peers, and experiencing repeated harassment. The dynamic captain, Vidya Sharma (Vidya Malvade), finds herself torn between her passion for hockey and the expectations of her husband Rakesh (Nakul Vaid)'s family, while Preeti's fiancé, Abhimanyu Singh (Vivan Bhatena), feels threatened by her dedication to the team.
Khan quickly realizes that forging unity among the girls will require them to embrace teamwork and discipline. Early on, he decides to bench several players, including the seasoned Bindia Naik (Shilpa Shukla). This decision ignites a rebellion led by Bindia, prompting Khan to resign in frustration. As a peace offering, he invites team manager Sukhlal (Javed Khan) and the players to a farewell lunch, where a raucous brawl with some boys fosters a newfound camaraderie among the girls. Impressed by their teamwork, Khan agrees to coach them further.
However, their hard-won unity faces a setback when Tripathi announces that the women’s team will not participate in the upcoming World Championship in Australia. Determined, Khan challenges him to a match against the men's team, asserting that if the girls win, they should be allowed to go. Although they lose the match, their resilience and skill garner praise from the men's team, compelling Tripathi to reconsider and permit their trip to Australia.
During the World Cup, the girls face formidable teams like the Hockeyroos (Australia), the Black Sticks Women (New Zealand), the Las Leonas (Argentina), and the South Korean squad. Battling through their differences, they eventually transform into a cohesive unit, clinching the Championship title. In their victory, they not only shatter the biases that divided them but also prove to their families and the nation the significance of women's hockey. In the end, Khan manages to restore his honor and returns home with his mother, greeted warmly by former adversaries.
