India made it two wins out of two in the Men's Asian Champions Trophy with a 5-2 victory over China at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Thursday, October 29. Sukhjeet Singh and captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice each, and Jugraj Singh added a penalty-corner goal, as the home side kept up their winning run on home turf in Punjab.
China pushed hard in patches and twice scored from set pieces, but India's finishing in the circle and their penalty-corner battery made the difference.
Background: India and the Asian Champions Trophy
India have been the most successful side in the history of the Men's Asian Champions Trophy, with five titles. They won the 2023 edition at home in Chennai and retained the trophy in 2024 in Hulunbuir, China, where they beat the hosts 1-0 in a tense final settled by a Jugraj Singh penalty corner. That final makes this week's win over China a familiar story: China have improved sharply in recent years and are no longer an easy opponent, but India have found a way to beat them when it matters.
The 2026 edition comes back to Indian soil in Jalandhar, a city with deep hockey roots. The Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium is named after the former India defender Surjit Singh, and the region has produced generations of national team players.
How the match unfolded
Sukhjeet set the tone in the 12th minute, finishing smartly with a lob to put India 1-0 up in the first quarter. China responded in the 26th minute when Yang Peng converted a penalty corner to make it 1-1, a reminder that the visitors would not simply roll over.
India answered quickly. Harmanpreet, one of the most feared drag-flickers in world hockey, converted from penalty corners to restore and then extend the lead, while Sukhjeet struck again from close range soon after half-time. China pulled one back through Chen Chongcong from a penalty-corner variation in the 36th minute, but India never let the game slip.
Jugraj Singh then converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute, and India closed out a comfortable 5-2 win.
Match summary
| Result | India 5-2 China |
| Tournament | Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2026 |
| Date | Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| Venue | Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar |
| India scorers | Sukhjeet Singh (2), Harmanpreet Singh (2), Jugraj Singh |
| China scorers | Yang Peng, Chen Chongcong |
| India's next match | vs Japan, Friday, October 30 |
Key takeaways for India
Penalty corners are working again
Three of India's five goals came from penalty corners, two from Harmanpreet and one from Jugraj. India have often relied on set pieces in big tournaments, and seeing both their main drag-flickers convert in the same game will please the coaching staff ahead of tougher matches.
Sukhjeet's form in the forward line
Sukhjeet's two field goals showed India can also hurt teams in open play. His opener was a moment of skill rather than power, and his second came from being in the right place at the right time inside the circle, the kind of instinct India need when set pieces dry up.
Defensive lapses to fix
Both China goals came from penalty corners. Conceding set pieces against stronger sides such as Japan, Malaysia or South Korea could prove costly, so tightening up in the defensive circle will be a focus for the next game.
Other results on the day
In the day's other matches, Malaysia beat South Korea 3-1 and Japan edged Bangladesh 1-0. Japan's win sets up an interesting contest with India, who face them on Friday. China take on South Korea, while Bangladesh meet Malaysia.
What it means for Indian hockey fans
Hosting the Asian Champions Trophy in Jalandhar, the heart of Punjab's hockey belt, gives the team home support in a region that has produced many of India's current stars. With a busy international calendar ahead, the tournament is also a chance for the team management to test combinations and build momentum against Asia's best.
What happens next
India's clash with Japan on Friday will be their stiffest test so far. A third straight win would put them in a strong position in the standings, while Japan will be keen to build on their narrow win over Bangladesh. Keep an eye on whether India can keep their penalty-corner conversion rate high and avoid giving away cheap set pieces at the back.
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