India vs Bangladesh: Mandeep Hat-Trick Powers Defending Champions to 13-0 Win
Image: Hockey India
Jalandhar, October 27: The Indian men’s hockey team began their title defence at the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 with a dominant 13-0 victory over Bangladesh at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. Mandeep Singh scored a hat-trick, while captain Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Hardik Singh struck twice each as India finished the opening day on top of the standings.
India made an immediate impact and took the lead in the second minute when Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick. Mandeep doubled the advantage a minute later after receiving a pass from Harmanpreet at the top of the circle and finishing with a reverse hit. Bangladesh briefly threatened in the fourth minute, but Shilanand Lakra cleared the danger before India resumed control.
Mandeep added his second goal in the 10th minute, finishing from close range after Harmanpreet’s aerial ball found Abhishek, who played the ball into the circle. Lakra then made it 4-0 in the 15th minute following a move involving Sukhjeet Singh and Aditya Arjun Lalage, giving India complete control by the end of the opening quarter.
The defending champions continued to attack in the second quarter. Abhishek scored in the 18th minute after receiving a pass from Mandeep on the left and finding space inside the circle, while Nilakanta Sharma added the sixth in the 26th minute with a reverse-stick shot from the top of the circle. Bangladesh goalkeeper Ashraful Shad produced a good save against Nilakanta earlier in the quarter, but India still went into half-time with a comfortable 6-0 lead.
Bangladesh enjoyed slightly longer spells of possession after the break, but India continued to create chances and added three more goals late in the third quarter. Dilpreet converted a penalty corner in the 43rd minute and scored again from open play a minute later, before Harmanpreet struck from another penalty corner in the 44th minute to make it 9-0.
Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner in the first minute of the final quarter before Mandeep completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute, stretching to turn in a cross from Aditya. India continued to press in the closing stages and Hardik scored twice in the 60th minute. His first came after Bangladesh managed to block a penalty corner, while the second followed a move started by Harmanpreet and Dilpreet, with Hardik finishing to complete the 13-0 victory.
The evening also carried an emotional moment as Nilakanta Sharma announced his retirement from international hockey, confirming that the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 would be his final tournament in the India jersey.
The match was preceded by an opening ceremony marking the return of international hockey to Punjab. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann unveiled the tournament trophy, while the programme also featured Bhangra, Giddha, Gatka, a performance by Punjabi singer Ninja and a fireworks display.
In the other opening-day matches, Malaysia defeated China 5-4 and Japan beat South Korea 3-2. India ended the first day at the top of the standings with three points and a goal difference of +13.
The six-team tournament is being played in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals. India will next face China on October 29 at 7:00 PM IST. The league stage will continue in Jalandhar until November 2 before the tournament moves to Mohali for the semi-finals and medal matches.
