India produced another emphatic win at the Asian Games 2026 hockey today as women team overpowered Indonesia 17-1 in their Pool B clash at Kakamigahara, with three Indian forwards completing hat-tricks in a one-sided contest.
Key Takeaways
- India defeated Indonesia 17-1 to register their second straight Pool B win at the Asian Games.
- Deepika, Navneet Kaur and Rutuja Pisal scored hat-tricks for India.
- Former captain Savita became India’s most-capped women’s player with her 321st senior international appearance.
India women’s hockey team continued their strong start to the Asian Games 2026Â with a 17-1 victory over Indonesia at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium today, on September 21.
The win gave Salima Tete’s team its second consecutive victory in Pool B. India had opened their campaign with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan on Sunday.
Deepika, Rutuja Pisal and Navneet Kaur led India’s attacking charge. All three scored three goals each as India maintained their dominance in the group.
India, the bronze medallists from the 2023 Hangzhou Games, controlled the contest from the opening whistle. They scored four goals in the first quarter and added five more in the second.
That gave India a 9-0 advantage at half-time.
The Indian side continued in the same attacking manner after the break. They scored five more goals in the third quarter, although Indonesia managed to find the net once.
India entered the final quarter with a 14-1 lead. Three more goals in the last 15 minutes completed the 17-1 victory.
India now have six points from two Pool B matches, with a goal difference of 35.
Deepika opens India’s scoring
India immediately took the initiative and earned several penalty corners during the opening stages.
Deepika converted one of those opportunities in the eighth minute to put India ahead.
Sunelita Toppo doubled the advantage in the 11th minute.
Lalremsiami then converted another penalty corner two minutes later to make it 3-0.
Rutuja Pisal added India’s fourth goal in the final minute of the opening quarter. It was her first goal of the match and India’s second field goal.
India finished the first 15 minutes with a four-goal cushion.
India race further ahead
The Indian attack showed no signs of slowing down in the second quarter.
Lalremsiami scored from open play in the 16th minute. Navneet also had a chance from a penalty corner, but Indonesia managed to keep out her effort.
Rutuja struck again in the 20th minute. Her second goal of the match gave India a 6-0 lead.
Sakshi Rana then scored a field goal in the 25th minute to make it 7-0.
India continued to create chances as the one-sided contest progressed.
Indonesia saved one Deepika effort before the Indian forward converted another set-piece opportunity.
Lalremsiami also searched for a third goal, but Indonesia denied her in the closing stages of the quarter.
With only 10 seconds left before half-time, Sunelita scored from a penalty corner.
India therefore went into the break with a commanding 9-0 lead.
Indonesia find a goal, but India respond
Indonesia created more opportunities at the beginning of the third quarter.
The hosts earned a couple of penalty corners. Salma Maulani also tested the Indian defence twice, but both attempts were saved.
Indonesia finally got on the scoresheet when Innes Adiyita found the net.
The response from India was immediate.
Salima Tete restored India’s momentum with a goal in the 34th minute.
India also faced two temporary suspensions during the quarter. Defender Ishika Chaudhary and Rutuja each spent two minutes off the field after receiving green cards.
The suspensions did not reduce India’s attacking pressure.
Navneet, Ishika, Rutuja and Deepika all scored as India added four more goals.
By the end of the third quarter, India had established a 14-1 lead.
Hat-tricks complete India’s rout
India continued to control the match in the final quarter.
The Indian side kept pressing and created further scoring opportunities.
Navneet scored twice during the quarter. Her second goal of the period completed her hat-trick.
Sakshi also found the net as India added three more goals in the final 15 minutes.
Rutuja and Deepika had already completed their hat-tricks earlier in the match. Navneet’s late goals ensured that three Indian players finished the contest with three goals apiece.
India eventually closed out a 17-1 victory.
Savita sets new milestone
The match also produced a significant individual milestone for former captain Savita.
She earned her 321st senior international cap during the contest.
The appearance moved Savita ahead of Vandana Katariya, who had 320 senior international appearances.
Savita is now the most-capped Indian women’s player.
Thailand next
India will return to Pool B action on Wednesday against Thailand.
Salima Tete’s team will look to maintain its strong run after two emphatic victories.
With six points from two matches and a goal difference of 35, India have made an imposing start to their Asian Games campaign. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)