India Women Crush Uzbekistan 19-0
Deepika Sehrawat scores eight goals as India open their Asian Games 2026 women’s hockey campaign with a dominant Pool B victory
India’s women’s hockey team began its Asian Games 2026 campaign with a 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their opening Pool B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Sunday.
Deepika Sehrawat was the standout performer, scoring eight goals in a record-setting individual display. She scored in the 8th, 22nd, 25th, 33rd, 36th, 38th, 41st and 54th minutes. Her eight goals are the most scored by an individual in a single women’s hockey match at the Asian Games.
India took an 8-0 lead into half-time. Lalremsiami opened the scoring in the seventh minute, while Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Neha and Navneet Kaur also found the net during the first half.
India continued their attacking pressure after the break, adding 11 more goals. Ishika completed a hat-trick, while Lalthantluangi scored twice. Navneet Kaur and Sakshi Rana also contributed goals.
The match also marked a milestone for veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia, who made her 320th senior international appearance. She moved level with Vandana Katariya as India’s joint-most capped women’s hockey player.
India will next face Indonesia in their second Pool B match on Monday.