Asian Champions Trophy: Mandeep Singh's Hat-Trick Powers India To 13-0 Rout Of Bangladesh

Mandeep Singh rediscovered his scoring touch with a fine hat-trick as defending champions India thrashed Bangladesh 13-0 to make a commanding start to their title defence at the Asian Champions Trophy on Tuesday.

Mandeep found the net in the third, 10th and 54th minutes to complete his hat-trick, while skipper Harmanpreet Singh (2nd, 44th), Dilpreet Singh (43rd, 44th) and vice-captain Hardik Singh (60th, 60th) chipped in with two goals each.

Shilanand Lakra (15th), Abhishek (18th), Nilakanta Sharma (26th) and Jugraj Singh (46th) also got on the scoresheet in India’s one-sided encounter at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium.

It was a one-sided affair, with India dominating from the outset and keeping play confined to Bangladesh’s half.

India

earned a penalty corner on their first circle entry and Harmanpreet converted it with a powerful low flick in the second minute to put the hosts ahead.

A minute later, Harmanpreet played a key role in India’s second goal, splitting the defence with a pass from midfield that Mandeep collected at the top of the circle before unleashing a powerful strike to double the hosts’ lead.

India stretched their lead in the 10th minute when Harmanpreet’s long scoop picked out Abhishek inside the circle, who then set up Mandeep to slot the ball into the net.

In the dying seconds of the first quarter, Shilanand Lakra capped off a slick one-two with Sukhjeet Singh to make it 4-0 for India.

In an unusual interruption, a stray dog wandered onto the field and defecated on the turf, delaying the start of the second quarter.

India continued to pile on the goals, with Abhishek becoming the next scorer in the 18th minute after a superb one-touch pass from Mandeep.

India earned their second penalty corner in the 20th minute but wasted the opportunity as the ball-stopper couldn’t control the push.

(With PTI Inputs)