Indian men’s hockey teams made a 6-0 clean sweep of the six-match practice series against Bangladesh as India A drubbed the neighbouring country 5-1 in their last match at SAI South Centre in Bengaluru today. Indian defender Rupinder Pal Singh starred in the victory with a hat-trick. He emerged as the top scorer of the series, slamming home a total of 10 goals.

The Bangladesh men’s team played the practice series in Indian in order to gear up for the Asian Games 2018. In the six-match series, they lost 0-4 to India A and 0-2 to India Juniors. India A won their earlier three matches 6-0, 7-0 and 5-2.

India Juniors, led by Odisha defender Dipsan Tirkey, won their two matches 4-0 and 6-3. Odisha striker Shilanand Lakra was the top scorer for India Juniors with three goals to his name. Bangladesh men’s team is playing the practice series in order to gear up for the upcoming Asian Games.

SERIES RESULTS:

June 29: India Juniors (Shilanand Lakra 4’, 17’; Dipsan Tirkey 38’, Abharan Sudev Belmagga 41’) beat Bangladesh 4-0.
June 30: India A (Rupinder Pal Singh 33’, 35’, 55’; Akashdeep Singh 18’, Kothajit Singh 23’, Nilakant Sharma 51’) beat Bangladesh 6-0.
July 2: India Juniors (Raj Kumar Pal 3`, Mohammad Umar 11`, 22`; Shilanand Lakra 19`, Mandeep Mor 33`, Hardik Singh 46`) beat Bangladesh (Abhishek 48-OG, Ashraful 49`, Mahabub 53`) 6-3.
July 3: India A (Rupinder Pal Singh 13’,29`,30`; Gagandeep Singh Sr 20`, Akashdeep Singh 26`, Gurjant Singh 45’,58’) beat Bangladesh 7-0.
July 5: India A (Gagandeep Singh 4`, Nilakanta Sharma 14’,26`; Rupinder Pal Singh 52’, Gurjant Singh 58’) beat Bangladersh (Ashraful 13’,44;) 5-2.
July 6: India A (Rupinder Pal Singh 24’,47’,60; Gurjinder Singh 27’, Vikash Dahiya 54’) beat Bangladesh (Mohammad Ashraful Islam 53’) 5-1.