Abhishek Completes Hat‑trick in India's 16‑1 Victory Over Sri Lanka

Abhishek Shukla became the second Indian forward to record a hat‑trick as the men’s hockey team thrashed Sri Lanka 16‑1 at the Asian Games on September 22.

The match began with a quick goal from Jarmanpreet Singh to Mandeep Singh in the fifth minute. Jugraj Singh then doubled the advantage from a penalty corner, but Abhishek answered two minutes later, making it 3‑0. He struck again at the 15th minute after Harmanpreet’s penalty‑corner conversion, and once more at the 20th minute, pushing the lead to five.

His third and final tally arrived early in the fourth quarter at the 49th minute, sealing his hat‑trick and raising the margin to 14‑0. Throughout the game, he combined efficiently with Dilpreet Singh and Sukjit Singh, who added several goals of their own.

Sri Lanka managed a single response via a spectacular tomahawk shot from Suresh Ratnayake, but India's offensive onslaught was unstoppable. The comprehensive 16‑1 win not only gave India back‑to‑back victories in Pool A but also highlighted Abhishek’s clinical finishing under pressure.