Jalandhar witnessed a goal rush on Tuesday evening as India opened their Asian Champions Trophy title defence with a 13-0 win over Bangladesh at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. Mandeep Singh led the scoring with a hat-trick, and eight different Indian players found the net in front of a loud home crowd.
It was the start every defending champion wants. India were ahead inside two minutes, four goals up by the end of the first quarter, and 6-0 clear at half time. Bangladesh spent most of the evening defending deep inside their own half. Goalkeeper Ashraful Shad made several good saves, but the pressure never really stopped.
India are chasing a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title and a third crown in a row. The tournament has returned to Punjab after 17 years, and on Tuesday the passing was sharp and the finishing was calm.
A fast start sets the tone
India needed only one circle entry to earn their first penalty corner, and captain Harmanpreet Singh made it count with a low flick in the second minute. A minute later, his pass from midfield found Mandeep at the top of the circle, and the forward finished with a fierce hit to make it 2-0.
Mandeep was at the heart of the opening quarter. In the 10th minute, Harmanpreet lifted a long ball forward, Abhishek touched it into the circle, and Mandeep guided it home for his second goal. Shilanand Lakra added the fourth just before the quarter ended, finishing a neat move involving Sukhjeet Singh.
Bangladesh had one early chance in the fourth minute that was cleared away, but those openings were rare. For long stretches, Bangladesh could not get out of their own half.
Goals keep coming after half time
The second quarter followed the same pattern. Abhishek made it 5-0 in the 18th minute after a fine pass from Mandeep on the left, and Nilakanta Sharma added the sixth in the 26th minute with a reverse-stick shot from the top of the circle.
There was no easing off after the interval. Dilpreet Singh scored twice in quick succession, Harmanpreet added his second from a penalty corner in the 44th minute, Jugraj Singh scored from a penalty corner in the 46th, and Mandeep completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute.
Hardik Singh, the vice-captain, finished the rout with two late goals right at the end. The match had been decided long before, but India kept playing at full pace. That intent will please head coach Craig Fulton, even if the tougher tests are still to come.
Full list of scorers
- Harmanpreet Singh: 2nd and 44th minutes, both from penalty corners
- Mandeep Singh: 3rd, 10th and 54th minutes, a hat-trick
- Shilanand Lakra: 15th minute
- Abhishek: 18th minute
- Nilakanta Sharma: 26th minute
- Dilpreet Singh: 43rd and 44th minutes
- Jugraj Singh: 46th minute
- Hardik Singh: two late goals to close the match
An emotional farewell for Nilakanta Sharma
The evening ended on an emotional note. After the match, Nilakanta Sharma announced his retirement from international hockey, saying this tournament would be his last in an India shirt. The midfielder from Manipur has been part of the national set-up for close to a decade, winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics and gold at the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, a result that secured India’s place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
His goal on Tuesday, in his farewell tournament, felt fitting. India were without veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, ruled out with a calf injury picked up in training. Vivek Sagar Prasad was called into the squad in his place.
What the win means, and what comes next
A 13-0 win will lift confidence, but the coaching staff will know better than to read too much into one result. Bangladesh came into the tournament after Pakistan withdrew, and the gap in quality was clear. The real examination starts with China on Thursday, October 29, followed by Japan on October 30, Malaysia on November 1 and South Korea on November 2, all in Jalandhar.
The semi-finals and medal matches move to Mohali on November 4 and 5. India have won this tournament five times before, more than any other team. Tuesday showed the attack is firing. The next matches will show whether the defence holds up when the pressure rises.
FAQs
What was the score in India vs Bangladesh hockey?
India beat Bangladesh 13-0 in their opening match of the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar on Tuesday, October 27.
Who scored a hat-trick for India?
Mandeep Singh scored three goals, in the 3rd, 10th and 54th minutes. Harmanpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh and Hardik Singh scored two goals each.
Who is playing in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
Six teams are taking part: India, Japan, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh and South Korea. Pakistan withdrew, and Bangladesh took their place.
When is India’s next match?
India play China on Thursday, October 29, in Jalandhar. The league stage runs until November 2, with the semi-finals and finals in Mohali on November 4 and 5.
Has Nilakanta Sharma retired?
Yes. Nilakanta Sharma announced after the Bangladesh match that this Asian Champions Trophy will be his last tournament in international hockey.
India could not have asked for a louder start. Now the focus turns to China, and to proving that this ruthless opening was the start of something, not just a one-night show.
