India women rout Indonesia in hockey, men's Kabaddi team beat Japan
India's women's hockey team continued its emphatic start to the Asian Games campaign, producing another goal-laden performance to defeat Indonesia 17-1 in their second Pool B match on Monday. After putting 19 past Uzbekistan in their opening game, the Indian attack once again proved far too strong for their opponents. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal and Navneet Kaur each completed a hat-trick, while Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami and Sakshi Rana contributed two goals apiece.
Deepika, who had scored eight times against Uzbekistan, added three more to her tally against Indonesia. All three of her goals came from penalty corners, with strikes in the eighth, 28th and 40th minutes.
Rutuja's three goals came from open play, finding the net in the 15th, 20th and 38th minutes. Navneet completed her hat-trick with goals in the 35th, 56th and 57th minutes.
Sunelita struck in the 11th and 30th minutes, while Lalremsiami scored twice in the 12th and 16th minutes. Sakshi also registered a brace, scoring in the 25th and 57th minutes. Captain Salima Tete and Ishika Chaudhary added one goal each.
Indonesia managed to get on the scoresheet through Innes Aditiya, who converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute.
India could have opened their account as early as the fourth minute after being awarded a penalty stroke, but Navneet was denied by the Indonesian goalkeeper.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the eighth minute when Deepika converted a penalty corner. India quickly built on their advantage, with Sunelita tapping home a pass from Neha three minutes later.
Lalremsiami then reacted quickest to a rebound after Deepika's attempt from a set piece was saved. Rutuja made it 4-0 by finishing off another rebound, before Lalremsiami and Rutuja struck again in quick succession.
Sakshi added India's seventh in the 27th minute after following up on a saved effort, before Deepika converted another penalty corner. Sunelita then helped Navneet get on the scoresheet as India went into the interval with a commanding 9-0 advantage.
Indonesia finally found a response two minutes into the second half when Aditiya converted a penalty corner. India, however, immediately restored their momentum, with Salima scoring from open play.
The Indian forwards continued to find gaps in the Indonesian defence and added eight more goals in the second half to complete another comprehensive victory.
India's next Pool B match will be against Thailand on Wednesday. INDIA BEGIN KABADDI TITLE DEFENCE WITH WIN
Meanwhile, the Indian men's kabaddi team also opened its Asian Games title defence in convincing fashion, cruising past hosts Japan 49-24 in their first Group A match on Monday.
India took control of the contest from the beginning and went into half-time with a 31-9 advantage. Ayan Lohchab and Devank Dalal led the charge in the raiding department as the defending champions established a huge cushion.
Japan could not find a way back after the break, with India adding another 18 points in the second half to seal a 25-point victory.
The Indian team collected 36 points through successful outs, while eight came from all-outs and another two from super tackles.
India are in Group A alongside Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh. Their next challenge will come against South Korea on Tuesday.
The Indian women's kabaddi team, also defending its Asian Games title, will begin its campaign against Bangladesh later on Monday.- EndsPublished By: alan johnPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 12:57 IST
