Defending champions BPCL stormed to the summit of the 41st PSPB Inter-Unit Hockey Tournament standings after a pulsating 4-3 triumph against ONGC on Friday at Pune’s iconic Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium. The win gives BPCL a perfect six points from two matches, underlining their title credentials.
ONGC struck first with Gurjot Singh’s 17th-minute field goal, but BPCL’s experienced squad hit back. 2002 Olympic medalist Varun Kumar leveled from a penalty corner at the 22-minute mark. Momentum swung further BPCL’s way with field goals from 2012 Olympian Tushar Khandekar (37′) and Vishwas J (45′), forging a 3-1 lead.
The second half was a rollercoaster. Jagwant Singh’s 52nd-minute goal revived ONGC hopes at 2-3. Rajinder Singh, a current India star, extended the lead to 4-2 in the 56th minute. ONGC’s Bikash Toppo netted late in the 59th minute, but time ran out for a comeback.
IOCL kept pace with a clinical 2-0 shutout of EIL. Goals from Roshan Minz (14′) and Sunil Yadav (54′) earned them three points, level with ONGC. EIL, yet to score, languishes at the bottom after consecutive defeats.
As the tournament heats up, BPCL’s attacking flair and IOCL’s defensive masterclass highlight the depth of talent among India’s public sector sporting powerhouses. Expect fireworks in the coming rounds.