The 16th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2026 continued on Monday in Jhansi, with several teams securing crucial points across Division B and Division C. The tournament features 29 teams competing in a multi-divisional format.
In a high-scoring Division C Pool B encounter, Bihar recorded their first victory of the tournament by defeating Andhra Pradesh 4-3. The match was defined by an impressive performance from Jony Kumar, who netted a hat-trick for his side.
Jony Kumar proved decisive in the closing stages of the game, scoring the winning goal in the 53rd minute to break the deadlock. Md Sidik also contributed to the Bihar tally, ensuring they secured the points against a resilient Andhra Pradesh outfit.
Also competing in Division C Pool B, Rajasthan extended their strong form with a comprehensive 6-2 victory over Gujarat. The win keeps Rajasthan at the top of their pool following a dominant offensive display throughout the match.
Ankit Rawat spearheaded the Rajasthan attack with a hat-trick, while Pawan Kumar Yadav added two goals to the total. Kunal Koundal completed the scoring for Rajasthan, who maintained their winning momentum throughout the contest against a struggling Gujarat side.
In Division C Pool A, Mizoram staged a second-half comeback to overcome Jammu and Kashmir 2-1. Jammu and Kashmir initially took the lead through a goal from Karanjit Singh, putting significant pressure on the Mizoram defence early on.
Mizoram responded effectively in the second half, relying on the clinical finishing of Dharmendra Pal. Pal successfully converted two penalty corners to turn the match around and secure the first win of the tournament for his team.
The Division B fixtures proved to be closely contested affairs, with both scheduled matches ending in draws. In Pool A, Kerala and Chhattisgarh played out a 2-2 stalemate after a late surge from the Kerala side.
Anoop Kumar Maurya opened the scoring to provide Kerala with an early lead. However, Chhattisgarh responded with goals from Sandeep Kumar and Sonu Nishad to move ahead before the final stages of the match in Jhansi.
With time running out, Sandeep Yadav found the back of the net in the 59th minute to equalise for Kerala. The late goal ensured that both teams shared the points in a hard-fought battle on the third day.
In the other Division B match, Pool B saw Jharkhand and Telangana finish level at 1-1. The game remained tight throughout, with both defensive units limiting clear-cut scoring opportunities for long periods of the intense afternoon encounter.
Dilbar Barla gave Jharkhand the lead in the 26th minute, putting his side in a strong position heading into the second half. Telangana continued to press for an equaliser as the game progressed into the final quarter of play.
The breakthrough for Telangana arrived in the 56th minute when captain Shiva Kumar Shivangi scored to level the match. Neither side could find a winner in the remaining minutes, resulting in a draw for both teams.
The Senior Men's National Hockey Championship serves as a significant platform for players across India to showcase their talent. The tournament structure, divided into three tiers, allows for competitive matches across various skill levels for all participating squads.
As the tournament progresses in Jhansi, teams are vying for top positions in their respective pools to advance further. The results from Monday's play highlight the competitive nature of the lower divisions in the national setup this year.
Hockey India continues to oversee the event, which remains a cornerstone of the domestic calendar. The championship provides essential match practice for regional squads aiming to climb the national rankings and improve their standing in the Indian hockey structure.
Fans and scouts are closely monitoring the performances of individual players, such as hat-trick scorers Jony Kumar and Ankit Rawat. Such displays of clinical finishing are vital for teams looking to secure promotion or higher standing this season.
The tournament is expected to intensify as the group stages conclude and the knockout phases approach. Teams will look to build on these results to ensure their progression in the 2026 edition of this prestigious national competition.
Further fixtures are scheduled for the coming days in Jhansi. Coaches will be assessing the fitness and tactical discipline of their squads following these intense encounters on the pitch to prepare for the next round of pool matches.
The 16th edition of the championship reaffirms the depth of hockey talent across the country. With 29 teams involved, the event remains a vital component in the development of the sport in India at the senior level.
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