India launched their men’s hockey campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in emphatic fashion, defeating Indonesia 13-1 in their Pool A opener on Sunday, with Dilpreet Singh scoring four goals.
Shilanand Lakra opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Abhishek doubled India’s advantage in the 12th minute after a cut-back from Dilpreet.
Dilpreet then took charge of the scoring, finding the net in the 18th minute before adding another a minute later. Rajinder Singh and Mandeep Singh further extended India’s lead, while captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a penalty corner in the 28th minute to send India into the interval 7-0 ahead.
Indonesia pulled one back through Al Ardh Aulia in the 33rd minute, but India responded immediately. Shilanand scored again in the 35th minute before Dilpreet completed his hat-trick two minutes later following a pass from Jarmanpreet Singh.
Sukhjeet Singh then joined the scoring spree in the 38th minute, converting a rebound to make it 10-1.
India continued their relentless attack in the final quarter, with Sukhjeet converting a penalty corner in the 46th minute and adding another goal two minutes later. Dilpreet completed his four-goal performance in the 49th minute as India sealed a commanding victory.
India will next face Sri Lanka on Tuesday as they continue their Pool A campaign.
The Indian men’s team, eight-time Olympic champions, have won four Asian Games gold medals, including at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, where they defeated Japan 5-1 in the final.
A gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya would also secure India a direct qualification berth for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. India have traditionally been among the leading teams at the Asian Games, with their only finish outside the podium coming in 2006, when they ended fifth in Doha.
The campaign also provides an opportunity for Harmanpreet Singh and coach Craig Fulton’s side to respond after India finished eighth at the recent FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup.
