Asian Games 2026: India shine as hockey team wins 19-0, shooters bag silver

India made a dominant start to their campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, as the women's hockey team thrashed Uzbekistan 19-0 in their opening match on Sunday.

Forward Deepika was the standout performer, scoring eight goals, including five from penalty corners. Ishika also completed a hat-trick as India produced a commanding attacking display.

Lalremsiami opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Uzbekistan goalkeeper saved Navneet Kaur's initial attempt. India regained possession and Lalremsiami finished the move to put the team ahead.


Deepika doubled the advantage with a powerful strike from the right before Ishika made it 3-0, converting a first-time effort after receiving a pass from Sunelita. Baljeet then added a fourth from a rebound before the end of the opening quarter.

Deepika leads India’s 19-goal hockey rout

India continued to dominate in the second quarter. Neha scored with a reverse hit to make it 5-0, before Deepika converted a penalty corner for her second goal. Rutuja then scored from a rebound, followed by another penalty-corner conversion from Deepika to complete her hat-trick.

India went into halftime with an 8-0 lead.

The third quarter saw India maintain the pressure, with Deepika scoring four more goals, all from penalty corners, to take her tally to seven. Ishika, Sakshi Rana and Lalthantluangi also got on the scoresheet as India stretched their lead to 15-0.

India continued their onslaught in the final quarter. Navneet Kaur added another goal, while Deepika scored again to take her personal tally to eight. Ishika completed her hat-trick, with Lalthantluangi and Neha also finding the net as India completed the 19-0 win.

Deepika finished with eight goals, while Ishika scored three. Neha and Lalthantluangi contributed two goals each, while Lalremsiami, Baljeet, Sakshi Rana and Navneet Kaur scored one apiece.

Table tennis win, shooting silver for India

India also began their women's table tennis campaign with a 3-0 win over Indonesia in their Group F encounter. Sreeja Akula, Diya Chitale and Yashaswini Ghorpade each secured straight-game victories to seal a comfortable opening win.

India also claimed their first medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, winning silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event. Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod combined for a team score of 1898 points to finish behind China.

Japan finished fourth, while Korea remained in contention with one shooter still to complete her series.

Elavenil delivered a standout individual performance with 633.5 points and also qualified for the individual final. Sonam Maskar also secured a place in the individual final.

(With inputs from ANI)