Jalandhar, October 27 2026: India started their Men’s Asian Champions Trophy campaign with a performance beating Bangladesh 13–0 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Mandeep Singh was the scorer with a hat-trick and captain Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and vice-captain Hardik Singh each added two goals.
The five-time champions took control of the match from the beginning creating chances and keeping Bangladesh under pressure throughout the game. The win gave India a start to their title defence in a tournament being held in Punjab from October 27 to November 5.
India came into the tournament after winning gold at the Asian Games. Playing in front of their home crowd the team will now try to keep this momentum in the rest of the league matches. Source: Times of India
Harmanpreet and Mandeep Lead the Way
India did not wait long to score. Harmanpreet Singh took a penalty corner in the minute and put the hosts ahead. Mandeep Singh then added to the lead with a goal after a move created by the captain.
Mandeep scored again in the 10th minute increasing India’s lead as the team kept up the pressure. Shilanand Lakra added another goal in the 15th minute taking the score to four before the first quarter ended.
The early goals gave India control of the match. Forced Bangladesh to spend most of the first quarter on defence. India kept moving the ball and looked for chances inside the opponent’s circle.
India Take a Six-Goal Lead at Half-Time
The second quarter was similar. Abhishek scored in the 18th minute adding to the pressure on Bangladesh. Nilakanta Sharma then scored in the 26th minute taking India’s score to 6–0.
Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Shad made a good saves during the match but India kept creating chances. The visitors struggled to build any attacking moves against the Indian team and went into half-time six goals behind.
India’s performance was more than scoring. The team kept pressure over the field and kept the ball in dangerous positions. The six-goal lead also gave the hosts a foundation for the second half.
More Goals in the Third Quarter
India continued to attack after the break. Dilpreet Singh scored twice in the 43rd and 44th minutes. His first goal came from a rebound. The second came from a strong tomahawk shot.
Harmanpreet then took another penalty corner in the minute bringing his total to two and India’s lead to 9–0. The quick goals left Bangladesh with no chance to take control.
India kept finding space in the attack and Bangladesh struggled to stop the flow of chances. The ability of India to score through players showed that the goals were coming from many different places.
Mandeep Completes His Hat-Trick
Jugraj Singh scored the goal for India in the 46th minute. Mandeep then completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute with a diving deflection finishing an excellent performance in front of goal.
Hardik Singh scored twice in the 60th minutes both goals coming in the 60th minute. His goals completed the 13-goal total. Sealed the 13–0 result.
In addition to Mandeep’s three goals several other players scored. Harmanpreet, Dilpreet and Hardik each scored twice while Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Nilakanta Sharma and Jugraj Singh each scored once.
India to Face China Next
India will next play against China on Thursday, October 29 as the league stage continues. Their other matches will include Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. The top four teams from the league stage will go to the semi-finals with the matches set to take place in Mohali.
This tournament is important for Punjab as international hockey has returned after 17 years. Jalandhar is hosting the league matches and Mohali will host the semi-finals and final.
India’s first win gives them a start but they need to stay consistent against the other teams in the competition. The match against China will be another chance to test the defending champions as they aim to reach the semi-finals.
For now the 13–0 win gives India a start to their campaign, led by Mandeep Singh’s hat-trick and a team effort from the forwards and midfielders.
