India women's hockey team wins first two Asian Games matches

India's women's hockey team has opened its Asian Games 2026 campaign with two dominant victories, defeating Uzbekistan 19-0 on Sunday and Indonesia 17-1 on Monday. The back-to-back wins have placed the team atop Pool B with a maximum of six points and a commanding goal difference of 35. In the opening match in Kakamigahara, Japan, striker Deepika Sehrawat delivered a record-shattering performance, scoring eight goals. Her goals came in the 8th, 22nd, 25th, 33rd, 36th, 38th, 41st, and 54th minutes, marking the best individual performance by an Indian woman in a single Asian Games match. The team built an 8-0 halftime lead and added 11 more goals in the second half. Other contributors included Ishika Chaudhary, Lalremsiami, Baljeet Kaur, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Lalthantluangi, and Sakshi Rana. The second match, played at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium, saw India maintain its relentless form against Indonesia. Deepika, Rutuja Pisal, and Navneet Kaur each scored hat-tricks. Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami, and Sakshi Rana added two goals apiece, while captain Salima Tete and Ishika also found the net. Indonesia's lone goal was scored by Innes Aditiya.