India’s Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign finally burst into life in Amstelveen on Tuesday. After being held to a 2-2 draw by Olympic silver medallists China in their opening Pool D match, the Indian team produced a ruthless attacking display to overwhelm South Africa 6-1 and move to the top of the group on goal difference.
Six different players found the net for India at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, underlining the depth of their attacking threat. Sunelita Toppo, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Deepika, Lalremsiami Hmarzote and Sakshi Rana all scored as India turned a competitive opening quarter into a one-sided contest.
The result leaves India unbeaten after two matches with four points, level with China but ahead on goal difference. China also have four points after beating England 4-2 earlier on Tuesday, while England sit on three points. South Africa remain without a point.
India’s reward is a place at the top of Pool D heading into their final group match against England on Thursday. The result has also given Salima Tete’s side a significant boost after their opening draw, with the team now firmly in contention for a top-two finish. South Africa had the first clear opportunity of the contest. Kayla de Waal broke through in the fourth minute and forced an important save from Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam.
India responded almost immediately. Captain Salima Tete drove down the right before finding Sunelita Toppo, but South African goalkeeper Marlise van Tonder kept out the effort. The pressure continued to build, and India earned their first penalty corner in the seventh minute after Baljeet Kaur’s work on the left resulted in a South African foot inside the circle.
Deepika stepped forward to take the drag-flick, but van Tonder produced a full-length save. India’s persistence finally paid off in the 11th minute. Sakshi Rana’s effort travelled across the circle and found Sunelita at the far post. The teenager reacted quickly to apply the finishing touch and put India ahead. The goal changed the rhythm of the contest. India began finding more space around the South African circle, while the African side struggled to maintain possession for long periods.
India doubled their advantage early in the second quarter through a clever penalty-corner variation. Navneet Kaur changed the angle before unleashing a low slap hit that beat the defence and found the backboard. At 2-0, India had established the control they had been searching for in their opening match.
South Africa then faced sustained pressure and another penalty corner in the 25th minute produced India’s third. Deepika’s drag-flick took a deflection off the first rusher before falling to Sushila Chanu, who reacted quickest and got the decisive touch. India went into half-time 3-0 ahead, having turned an initially even contest into a commanding lead.
The second half brought more of the same. India’s fourth goal in the 38th minute was arguably the pick of the night. Navneet and Baljeet combined down the left before cutting the ball back into the circle. Deepika controlled it on her backhand and unleashed a powerful tomahawk into the far corner. The goal rewarded one of India’s best attacking moves of the match and also gave Deepika a goal to go with her involvement in the penalty-corner routines. Two more goals arrived in the final minutes of the third quarter.
In the 44th minute, Lalremsiami Hmarzote received an aerial ball from Neha inside the circle. She shifted onto her reverse before firing beyond van Tonder to make it 5-0. India then struck again just a minute later. Salima carried the ball forward and found Ishika Chaudhary, whose effort struck the post. Sakshi Rana reacted fastest to the rebound and smashed a reverse hit into the top corner. At 6-0, the contest was effectively over.
South Africa refused to leave the contest without a response and finally found a breakthrough in the 55th minute. Hannah Pearce’s penalty-corner drag-flick took a deflection off the first Indian rusher. De Waal reacted quickest at the far post to steer the ball home and give South Africa a consolation goal. India, however, never looked in danger of surrendering their advantage. The final whistle confirmed a 6-1 victory and three important points.
The performance also offered encouraging signs for India’s campaign. Six different scorers found the net, while the team created opportunities through open play as well as penalty corners. After being held by China in their opener, the response was emphatic. The result is particularly significant given the quality of the opposition in Pool D. India began the tournament against China, who won silver at the Tokyo Olympics and have emerged as one of the leading forces in Asian women’s hockey.
England, another major contender, now awaits in India’s final pool match. India’s next challenge will therefore be about converting momentum into qualification. A draw against China had left the group finely balanced. A six-goal victory over South Africa has changed the picture dramatically. India now sit at the summit of Pool D, with England standing between them and the next stage.
