India Hockey Team Extends Winning Streak with 7-1 Victory Over Pakistan in FIH Pro League

The Indian men’s hockey team secured a dominant 7-1 win against Pakistan on 26 June at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London, maintaining their winning streak in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League. The victory, part of the 2025-26 FIH Pro League, marked the second-to-last match of the season for India.

What Happened in the Match?

The Indian team took control early, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes. Forward Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 7th minute, followed by Manpreet Singh and Birendra Lakra within the next 10 minutes. Pakistan’s only goal came in the 28th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Asif Khan.

India’s second-half dominance was highlighted by a 4-0 run between the 40th and 60th minutes. Raghunath Sankar, Sukhjeet Singh, and Sandeep Kumar each found the back of the net, while captain Manpreet Singh added a late goal in the 68th minute. The team’s defensive line, led by goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, recorded 12 saves, including a crucial stop in the 55th minute to deny Pakistan’s Shahbaz Ahmed.

The match featured 22 penalty corners for India, compared to four for Pakistan, according to the official FIH Pro League match report. India’s attacking trio of Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Raghunath Sankar accounted for six of the seven goals, with the final goal coming from a counterattack in the 68th minute.

Why This Win Matters

This victory solidifies India’s position at the top of the FIH Pro League standings, with 14 points from 10 matches. The win sets up a crucial final match against Argentina on 3 July, which will determine the league’s top seed for the 2026 World League Final.

Key Performances and Statistics

Harmanpreet Singh led the scoring with two goals, while Manpreet Singh added a hat-trick. Raghunath Sankar and Sukhjeet Singh each scored twice, marking the first time in FIH Pro League history that seven different players have scored in a single match. The team’s penalty corner conversion rate improved, up from their previous match against Germany.

The defense, which had allowed 10 goals in their previous two matches, limited Pakistan to just one goal. Sreejesh’s 12 saves included four stops in the final 10 minutes, according to the official match statistics. The team’s possession rate was high, with a significant portion of their shots on goal.

The match also saw the debut of young defender Lalit Upadhyay, who made 18 clearances and 11 interceptions. His performance earned praise from former Indian captain P.R. Sreejesh, who tweeted: “Lalit showed