Olympic bronze medallist India staged a remarkable comeback to defeat archrivals Pakistan 7-1 in a one-sided clash at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centres near London. India, after a narrow 4-3 win in their first encounter, dominated the second and third quarters, scoring consistently to secure a significant victory in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League season.
Scorers for India included Sukhjeet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik, Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, Raj Kumar Pal, and Dilpreet Singh, with Abu Mahmood giving Pakistan an early lead. This win marked India’s 17th consecutive victory over Pakistan across all levels, pushing them to the 7th position in the standings, surpassing Spain.
India’s midfield, led by Hardik Singh and Manpreet Singh, controlled the game, while their forwards Abhishek, Dilpreet Singh, and Mandeep Singh posed a constant threat to Pakistan’s defense. Hardik Singh was named the FIH Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
In a dominant display, India made 36 circle penetrations and earned 13 penalty corners, converting three, while Pakistan struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Despite a strong start by Pakistan, India’s strategic play and solid defense ensured a resounding 7-1 victory.
