The 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship 2026 continued to deliver high-intensity action on Day 2 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar, with a mix of dominant victories, individual brilliance, and competitive contests across Division ‘B’ and Division ‘C’.
As teams began to find their rhythm in the early stages of the tournament, the day was marked by a standout attacking performance from Telangana Hockey, alongside commanding wins for Delhi, Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
Andhra Pradesh and Mizoram set the tone in Division C
The day began with a Pool A clash in Division ‘C’, where Hockey Andhra Pradesh secured a composed 3-1 win over Le Puducherry Hockey. Andhra Pradesh built their victory on a strong first half, with Surya Ganesh Kataru Pradeep opening the scoring in the 13th minute. Chaitanya Lanka Chaitanya Yesu doubled the lead shortly after, before captain Maduru Ganga added a third in the 27th minute to put the contest firmly under control.
Le Puducherry Hockey managed to pull one back late in the game through Dharshan in the 58th minute, but the damage had already been done. Andhra Pradesh’s structured build-up and efficient finishing ensured they walked away with all three points.
In the second match of the division, Hockey Mizoram delivered one of the most clinical performances of the day, thrashing Assam Hockey 6-0. Joseph Malsawmtluanga starred with a hat-trick, scoring in the 5th, 33rd, and 54th minutes, showcasing both consistency and attacking awareness.
Captain Malsawmkima added to the tally early on, while Vanlalhmangaiha and Lalhmangaihzuala also found the back of the net to complete a dominant outing. Mizoram’s ability to maintain tempo across all four quarters underlined their credentials as strong contenders in Division ‘C’.
Delhi Hockey’s attacking depth shines
Moving to Division ‘B’, Pool A, Delhi Hockey produced a commanding 9-1 victory over Hockey Bengal in a match that highlighted their attacking depth and fluidity.
Multiple players contributed significantly to the scoreline, with Aryan, captain Yuvraj Singh, Sushant Sehrawat, and Siddharth all registering braces. Luv also added a goal to round off a comprehensive team performance. Delhi’s ability to rotate possession, exploit spaces, and finish clinically made it difficult for Bengal to contain the attacking waves.
Hockey Bengal managed a solitary goal through Ayush Pradhan, but struggled to cope with Delhi’s relentless pressure. The result positions Delhi Hockey as one of the early frontrunners in Division ‘B’.
The most remarkable result of the day came in the same pool, where Telangana Hockey overwhelmed Hockey Gujarat with a staggering 20-0 victory. It was a performance defined by relentless attacking intent, clinical execution, and complete control across all departments.
Amit Dayal was the undisputed star, scoring an incredible ten goals in a single match. His finishing, positioning, and consistency in front of goal stood out as one of the most dominant individual performances of the tournament so far.
He was ably supported by Hadrian Lawrance, Harsh Kumar Gautme, Akhil Gogula, and several others who contributed to the scoreline. Captain Yashith Jala Surya also added his name to the scoresheet, reflecting a team effort despite the extraordinary individual tally.
Telangana’s ability to sustain intensity and convert chances at such a high rate underlines their attacking strength, though sterner defensive tests are likely to come in the later stages of the competition.
Karnataka and Arunachal share points in tight contest
In Pool B of Division ‘B’, Hockey Karnataka and Hockey Arunachal played out a competitive 2-2 draw in one of the more balanced encounters of the day.
Hockey Arunachal struck early through captain Kumar Shashank in the 4th minute, setting the tone for a closely fought match. Karnataka responded through their captain Adarsh Govind Mutagar, who scored twice—once in the 18th minute and again late in the 54th—to keep his side in contention.
Ashwani Patel’s goal in the 45th minute ensured Arunachal stayed level, and both teams had opportunities to push for a winner in the closing stages. However, disciplined defending and missed chances meant the points were shared. The result reflects the competitive depth in this pool, where margins are likely to remain tight.
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The final match of the day saw Chhattisgarh Hockey secure a convincing 7-2 win over Hockey Himachal. After a relatively balanced opening phase, Chhattisgarh took control through captain Piyush Kumar Sahu, who delivered a standout hat-trick with goals in the 30th, 38th, and 60th minutes.
Supporting contributions from Yogesh Thakur, Om Kumar Yadav, Aadrsh Raj Singh, and Abhishek Yadav ensured Chhattisgarh maintained momentum throughout the match. Their ability to capitalise on key phases of play proved decisive.
Himachal managed two goals through Sidhant Kaushal and Daksh, but struggled to contain Chhattisgarh’s attacking surges, particularly in the second half.
A day of contrasts and emerging patterns
Day 2 in Rajgir highlighted the evolving dynamics of the tournament. While teams like Telangana and Delhi showcased overwhelming attacking power, others like Karnataka and Arunachal demonstrated resilience in tightly contested fixtures.
The performances also brought individual talents to the forefront, with players like Amit Dayal and Joseph Malsawmtluanga delivering standout displays. At the same time, structured team performances from Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh indicated balanced approaches that could prove crucial in later stages.
As the championship progresses, the focus will shift towards consistency, defensive organisation, and the ability to handle pressure in knockout scenarios. With early momentum now established for several teams, the coming days are expected to further intensify competition across divisions.
The 16th Sub Junior Men’s National Championship continues to serve as a vital platform for identifying emerging talent, and Day 2 offered a compelling glimpse into the next generation of Indian hockey.
