– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team continued its spectacular start to the Asian Games 2026, thrashing Indonesia 17-1 in their second Pool B encounter on Monday.
The victory followed India’s commanding 19-0 win over Uzbekistan in their opening match, giving the team two wins from two games and an astonishing goal difference of +35.
India once again showcased their attacking depth, scoring seven goals from penalty corners and 10 from open play. Deepika, Navneet Kaur and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal each completed hat-tricks, while Lalremsiami, Sunelita Toppo and teenage forward Sakshi Rana scored twice apiece. Captain Salima Tete and Ishika also found the back of the net.
Deepika continued her remarkable scoring form, taking her tournament tally to 11 goals in just two matches after following up her eight-goal haul against Uzbekistan with another three against Indonesia.
The match also saw veteran goalkeeper Savita create history. With her 321st senior international appearance, she became the most-capped Indian woman hockey player, surpassing former India forward Vandana Katariya.
India initially took some time to settle into the contest. Navneet had an early chance from a penalty stroke but could not convert. The Indian attack soon found its rhythm, however, as a series of penalty corners put Indonesia under sustained pressure.
Deepika opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a penalty-corner conversion. Sunelita doubled the advantage three minutes later from field play, before Lalremsiami added another from a set piece in the 12th minute. Rutuja then scored her first of the evening as India closed the opening quarter 4-0 ahead.
The onslaught continued after the restart. Lalremsiami completed her brace within the first minute of the second quarter, while Rutuja added her second in the 20th minute. Sakshi then opened her account with a field goal in the 25th minute.
India added two more before half-time, with Deepika and Sunelita both converting penalty corners to give the Asian giants a commanding 9-0 lead at the interval.
Indonesia finally found a breakthrough early in the third quarter when Innes Aditya scored against the run of play. India responded almost immediately, embarking on a five-goal blitz in just six minutes.
Salima Tete scored in the 34th minute, followed by Navneet a minute later. Ishika made it 12-1 in the 36th minute before Rutuja completed her hat-trick in the 38th. Deepika then added her third of the match in the 40th minute as India ended the quarter with a 14-1 advantage.
Indonesia showed greater resistance during the opening stages of the final quarter, keeping India scoreless for around 10 minutes. But India finished the match strongly.
Navneet struck twice in quick succession in the 56th and 57th minutes to complete her hat-trick, while Sakshi scored her second goal in between to seal the 17-1 victory.
With 36 goals scored and only one conceded across their first two matches, India currently lead Pool B with a remarkable +35 goal difference.
India will have a rest day on Tuesday before returning to action against Thailand on Wednesday.
