India Dominates Bangladesh in Asian Champions Trophy Opener with 13-0 Victory

India launched their Asian Champions Trophy title defense with an impressive 13-0 victory over Bangladesh, highlighted by Mandeep Singh's hat-trick. The match, held in Jalandhar, saw contributions from several players, including skipper Harmanpreet Singh. Following the game, Nilakanta Sharma announced his retirement from international hockey. The tournament, featuring top teams like Malaysia and Japan, is significant for Punjab, a state known for its rich hockey legacy. India's next match is against China on October 29, as they aim to continue their strong performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 27, 2026, 23:49 IST

India's Impressive Start at the Asian Champions Trophy

Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], October 27: India kicked off their title defense in the Asian Champions Trophy with an astonishing 13-0 victory against Bangladesh at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.

In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Mandeep Singh showcased his skills with a remarkable hat-trick. Additionally, skipper Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Dilpreet Singh each contributed two goals. Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Jugraj Singh, and Nilakanta Sharma also found the back of the net, as reported by ESPN.

While Bangladesh attempted a few counter-attacks, they struggled to challenge the Indian defense and goalkeeping effectively.

Following the match, Nilakanta Sharma announced his retirement, stating that this tournament would mark the end of his international career. The Manipuri midfielder has been a crucial part of the Indian team for nearly a decade, contributing to the bronze medal win at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the gold medal victory at the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which secured qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

In other matches, Malaysia triumphed over China with a score of 5-4 in a thrilling encounter, while Japan edged out South Korea 3-2. India's next challenge will be against China on October 29.

The tournament is being hosted at two venues in Punjab: the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar and the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali. All league-stage matches will take place in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2, after which the action will move to Mohali for the semi-finals and medal matches, scheduled for November 4 and 5, respectively.

With Bangladesh stepping in for Pakistan, who withdrew from the tournament, the event features defending champions India, along with Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, China, and Bangladesh. Fresh from their Asian Games gold medal win in Japan, India, a five-time ACT champion, enters the tournament as the top-ranked team, aiming to maintain their impressive track record.

This tournament is particularly significant for Punjab, known as the cradle of Indian hockey, having produced numerous legendary players who have enriched the nation's hockey heritage. The return of international hockey to Punjab is expected to strengthen the sport's ties with its devoted fan base and highlight the state's lasting relationship with the game.