The Indian team started their defence of the title in the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 with an emphatic 13-0 win over Bangladesh in the opening game played at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Tuesday, October 27. Five-time champions India ruled the roost in the opening encounter with an excellent attacking display. Mandeep Singh stole the show in the opening encounter by netting a hat-trick for India in a goal fest.
The skipper Harmanpreet Singh got the Indian side off to a winning start by scoring in the second minute with a penalty corner flick. Mandeep Singh then increased India’s lead to two goals in the third minute before netting his second goal in the 10th minute. Shilanand Lakra netted his goal in the 15th minute as India went into the break with a 4-0 lead over Bangladesh.
Abhishek increased the lead for India in the 18th minute, while Nilakanta Sharma added another goal in the 26th minute. India led by a comfortable 6-0 scoreline going into half-time. The Indian players maintained their attacking form throughout the second half, with Dilpreet Singh scoring two goals in the 43rd and 44th minutes respectively. In the 44th minute, Harmanpreet scored his second goal of the match, making the scoreline 9-0 in favour of India.
Jugraj Singh added another goal for India in the 46th minute before Mandeep made it a hat-trick for himself in the 54th minute through a great deflection. Two goals from Hardik Singh in the dying moments of the game ensured a 13-0 win for India against Kuwait.
The impressive win earned India the first position on the tournament ladder with three points and a goal difference of +13. This is a good start for the defending champions who hope to win the continental crown once again. India will play against China on October 29 in the upcoming fixtures of the tournament.
