Captain Harmanpreet's Hat-Trick Lifts India to Top of Table

Captain Harmanpreet Singh's hat-trick guided India to a 4-2 win over Malaysia in the Asian Champions Trophy 2026 in Jalandhar on Sunday. The result stretched India's winning run to four matches and took them to the top of the points table, where they now stand ahead of all other teams.

India have 12 points from four matches and a goal difference of +21, while Malaysia are second with nine points and a goal difference of +6. Japan are third on seven points and South Korea fourth on six. All four teams have progressed to the semi-finals. China have one point, and Bangladesh, who have yet to register a point, are out of contention for the title.

India now face South Korea in their last league-stage match on Monday.

The match was held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium. Harmanpreet found the net from penalty corners in the 3rd and 33rd minutes and from a penalty stroke in the 58th minute. Sukhjit Singh scored India's fourth goal in the 43rd minute. Malaysia replied through Akhimullah Anuar in the 25th minute and Shelo Silverius in the 60th.

Both teams were unbeaten in Jalandhar coming into the game, having won their first three fixtures there. India went on the attack from the start and won a penalty corner in the third minute. Harmanpreet and Jugraj Singh linked up for a sharp move, and Harmanpreet finished it to put India in front.

Malaysia counterattacked, but Aditya Arjun Lalage intercepted a dangerous pass aimed at Anuar. Hardik Singh then slipped past Shafiq Hassan with a strong run, though Mandeep Singh and Sukhjit failed to turn the chance into a goal.

In the second quarter, Malaysia built pressure and earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute. Goalkeeper Pathak denied the follow-up attempts, and Anuar's penalty corner in the 25th minute brought the scores level at 1-1 by half-time.

India increased their tempo after the break and regained the lead in the 33rd minute through another Harmanpreet penalty corner. Faiz Jali was then shown a 10-minute yellow card in the 38th minute for a collision with Mandeep.

India took full advantage. Sukhjit scored in the 43rd minute after receiving a pass from Hardik near the circle, lifting India to a 3-1 lead with a backhand finish.

Malaysia started the last quarter with an attack, but their effort from the right sailed wide. Harmanpreet was shown a yellow card in the 48th minute, giving Malaysia a five-minute numerical advantage, which they failed to exploit. India soon regained control and were awarded a penalty stroke in the 58th minute after the ball hit Mardhan's foot near the goal line. Harmanpreet's powerful shot completed his hat-trick. Amirul Azhar's yellow card later reduced Malaysia to ten players, and Silverius pulled one back in the 60th minute, but it came too late to change the outcome. India won 4-2.