India produced another emphatic performance in men’s hockey at the Asian Games 2026, thrashing Sri Lanka 16-1 in their second Pool A match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Tuesday, September 22.
The defending champions had earlier opened their campaign with a 13-1 victory over Indonesia, making it two wins from two matches.
India wasted little time taking control. Mandeep Singh opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Jugraj Singh converted a penalty corner five minutes later. Abhishek added another in the 11th minute, while Harmanpreet Singh scored from a penalty corner in the 16th.
Abhishek struck again in the 17th minute to make it 5-0, while Jugraj added his second in the 22nd. Sukhjeet Singh and Dilpreet Singh then found the net in the closing stages of the half as India went into the break with an 8-0 lead.
India continued their relentless attack after the interval. Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Dilpreet added further goals before Jugraj completed his hat-trick through a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet scored again as India ended the third quarter 13-0 ahead.
Abhishek completed his hat-trick early in the final quarter. Sri Lanka finally got on the scoresheet through Suresh Rathnayake, but India responded immediately. Jugraj converted another penalty stroke for his fourth goal, while Dilpreet completed his hat-trick to make it 16-1.
India’s victory strengthens their position in Pool A, which also includes Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. India will next face South Korea on September 24 at 11:30 AM IST.