On October 1, 2025, the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir was the stage for one of India’s most dominant displays in recent memory. The Indian men’s hockey team thrashed Kazakhstan 15-0 in their final Pool A match of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025, sealing their place in the Super 4s with a statement of intent.
The one-sided encounter highlighted India’s attacking depth, penalty corner expertise, and relentless pressing, as three different players Abhishek, Jugraj Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh recorded hat-tricks. With a passionate home crowd in full voice, the result was more than just a victory: it was a declaration that India are serious contenders for a record fourth Asia Cup title and an automatic berth at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. The 2025 Men’s Asia Cup carries added weight for all participating nations, doubling as the final qualification event for the upcoming World Cup.
India, ranked No. 7 in the world and the highest-ranked Asian team, arrived in Rajgir under pressure to deliver. They had edged past China (4-3) and Japan (3-2) in their first two pool games results that exposed defensive gaps despite showcasing the scoring power of captain Harmanpreet Singh.
Kazakhstan, by contrast, had endured a tough campaign. Losses to Japan (0-7) and China (1-13) left them bottom of Pool A and heavy underdogs against the hosts. For India, already assured of a Super 4s berth, the match offered a chance to fine-tune tactics, build confidence, and significantly boost their goal difference.
First Quarter: Setting the Tone
India began cautiously, probing Kazakhstan’s compact defensive block. The breakthrough came in the 9th minute when Abhishek slotted home a crisp finish from the left flank to open the floodgates. He doubled the lead five minutes later with a thunderous tomahawk strike, punishing Kazakhstan’s hesitant defending. In the 14th minute, India earned their first penalty corner. Harmanpreet’s drag-flick was parried away, but Sukhjeet Singh reacted sharply on the rebound to make it 3-0. The scoreboard reflected India’s early dominance, and the pattern of the evening was firmly established.
Second Quarter: Goals Flow Freely
India tightened their grip in the second period. Abhishek completed his hat-trick in the 22nd minute, capitalizing on open space in the circle to extend the lead to 4-0. Jugraj Singh followed up two minutes later with a trademark penalty corner strike, before Harmanpreet finally opened his account with another drag-flick in the 26th. Amit Rohidas added a seventh just before halftime, cleaning up a rebound from yet another penalty corner. By the break, India were 7-0 up, their attack running rampant and Kazakhstan struggling to clear their lines.
Third Quarter: Relentless India
The restart brought no respite for Kazakhstan. Within 30 seconds, India were awarded a penalty stroke, calmly dispatched by Jugraj Singh. Two minutes later, Rajinder Singh netted a field goal, and Sukhjeet Singh then scored twice in quick succession to complete his own hat-trick by the 32nd minute. Vivek Sagar Prasad joined the party with a well-placed finish in the 38th minute to make it 11-0. India’s midfield, marshalled by Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh, dictated the tempo, leaving Kazakhstan chasing shadows. The crowd roared with every goal as India showcased the full extent of their firepower.
Fourth Quarter: Finishing with Authority
The final phase saw India sustain their tempo, refusing to ease off. Jugraj Singh converted his second penalty stroke in the 42nd minute to notch a personal hat-trick. Sanjay (44’) and Dilpreet Singh (46’) quickly pushed the tally to 14-0. The final flourish came in the 48th minute, fittingly from Abhishek, who capped a sensational individual performance with his fourth goal of the night. The scoreboard read 15-0 India’s biggest win of the tournament so far, and a performance that will be remembered by the Rajgir faithful.
Standout Performers
- Abhishek: A dazzling display of finishing, scoring four goals and leading India’s attack with pace and precision.
- Jugraj Singh: Rock-solid from set pieces, scoring three times including two penalty strokes.
- Sukhjeet Singh: Opportunistic and sharp inside the circle, completing his hat-trick with composed finishing.
- Harmanpreet Singh: Scored once but his leadership and distribution were pivotal in maintaining India’s attacking rhythm.
In all, nine different Indians got on the scoresheet, underlining the depth and variety in Craig Fulton’s squad. Goalkeepers Krishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera were largely untested, as Kazakhstan failed to make meaningful inroads.
India’s strategy was clear: stretch Kazakhstan’s defense using width, force penalty corners, and press high to win possession quickly. The execution was near flawless. The forwards interchanged seamlessly, while the midfield kept up a relentless tempo. Though penalty corner conversion remains an area for sharper execution India did miss several the sheer volume of chances created left no doubt about their superiority. Fulton also used the match to rotate players, giving younger squad members valuable game time without disrupting momentum.
With this emphatic win, India advanced to the Super 4s stage as Pool A leaders. The upcoming matches against stronger teams like Malaysia and South Korea will provide a more realistic test of their title credentials. Both sides have looked strong Malaysia hammered Chinese Taipei 15-0, while South Korea dispatched Bangladesh 5-1. For India, the challenge will be to balance their attacking flair with tighter defensive discipline, something that proved shaky in the narrow wins over China and Japan. The 15-0 rout of Kazakhstan is a confidence boost, but sterner examinations await.
India’s 15-0 demolition of Kazakhstan was more than just a group-stage victory it was a statement of intent. Hat-tricks from Abhishek, Jugraj Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh, combined with goals from across the squad, underlined the hosts’ depth and firepower. As India move into the Super 4s, the atmosphere in Rajgir grows more electric, and expectations rise. With a World Cup berth at stake and the prospect of a record fourth Asia Cup crown, Craig Fulton’s men have laid down a marker. The real tests begin now, but on this night in Bihar, Indian hockey fans were treated to an exhibition of attacking brilliance.
Final Score: India 15–0 Kazakhstan
