Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Harmanpreet hat-trick takes India to 4-3 win over China

India men’s hockey team started its Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a narrow 4-3 win over China in Rajgir on Friday.

The home side fell behind in the opening quarter when Du Shihao converted a penalty corner in the 12th minute. India squandered the chance to go level towards the end of the opening quarter, with captain Harmanpreet Singh sending his drag-flick wide.

But Jugraj Singh did not miss when offered the chance, sounding the board with his drag-flick in the 18th minute. Just two minutes later, Harmanpreet doubled India’s advantage, firing a penalty corner into the right corner from the second battery.

Harmanpreet added to his tally with another penalty corner conversion, giving India breathing room with a 3-1 advantage.

Chen Benhai though made sure China pulled back in the contest when his drag-flick beat the Indian custodian Krishan Pathak. Harmanpreet then missed a penalty stroke, leaving the window open for China to restore parity. In the 42nd minute, Gao Jiesheng made the most of a short corner to level the scores 3-3.

But the Indian captain completed his hat-trick when he converted from the short corner for a third time, getting India over the line in a hard-fought contest.

Published on Aug 29, 2025