India Vs Kazakhstan Highlights, Hockey Asia Cup: Abhishek Fires Four As IND Hammer KAZ 15-0 To Finish Top Of Pool A

Hello everyone, we’re back with another live blog, and it’s hockey time! The Indian men take on Kazakhstan, stay tuned for live updates from the 7:30 PM IST clash.

The India vs Kazakhstan Asia Cup 2025 hockey match will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.

India Squad:

Goalkeepers: Krishan Pathak, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh

Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad

India aim to continue their free-scoring run when they face struggling Kazakhstan in the Asia Cup on Monday. The Men in Blue top Pool A with six points from two wins, while skipper Harmanpreet Singh has starred with a hat-trick and a brace in previous matches. Kazakhstan have conceded heavily so far, and with India already through to the next round, they’ll look to maintain momentum as China and Japan fight for the remaining spot.

Here we go! The players stride out under the lights, sticks in hand, energy buzzing. India have been ruthless so far and will want to keep that momentum rolling, while Kazakhstan are staring at their toughest test yet. Two games gone, 20 goals shipped, they know what’s coming.

The anthems ring out, the crowd is ready, and so are we. Pushback just around the corner, stay tuned.

The whistle goes and we’re off! First quarter begins here at the Bihar Sports University Hockey Stadium in Rajgir. India in white, Kazakhstan in blue, and the crowd already buzzing. Big night in Pool A, can India keep that perfect run going, or will Kazakhstan find something special? Let’s find out.

Four minutes in and still goalless. India try to spark something with a high aerial ball aimed at Abhishek, who finds himself in space inside the circle. No Kazakh defender in sight, but his first touch lets him down, the ball skips away and rolls out. A missed chance early on.

India strike early and it’s Abhishek who delivers! Just five minutes in, India pounce in midfield, pile the pressure on Kazakhstan’s backline, and the ball finds Abhishek near the edge of the circle. He doesn’t wait for anyone, fires from distance, low and sharp, and nails the bottom corner. India up 1-0, and the crowd loves it.

Abhishek is on fire tonight! Minute eight and he’s got his second, this time showing real class inside the circle. Ball comes to him with defenders closing in, but he spins, keeps his cool, and smashes it into the bottom-right corner. India cruising at 2-0, and Kazakhstan already look rattled.

Nine minutes gone and India are running the show! Abhishek just can’t stop finding space, this time it’s Shilanand who slips him the ball inside the circle. Cool as you like, Abhishek takes a touch and slots it past the keeper for what looked like goal number three, but it stays 2-0. India completely in charge here, Kazakhstan chasing shadows.

Chaos in the circle! India thought they’d had their moment from the penalty corner, Mandeep wins it, Harmanpreet steps up, unleashes a thunderbolt, and the Kazakh keeper pulls off a blinder to keep it out. But blink and you miss it, Abhishek picks up the rebound, slides it across to Sukhjeet, and he makes no mistake from right in front.

Seconds before the end of the first quarter, India stretch their lead to 3-0.

That’s the end of the first quarter! India absolutely bossing it with a 3-0 lead, Abhishek’s brace setting the tone and Sukhjeet joining the party. Kazakhstan barely getting a touch, while India look hungry for plenty more. Big statement start from the hosts.

Second quarter underway and the vibes are electric! Fans are on their feet, music pumping, dancing breaking out in the stands, it’s a party in Rajgir. Under the lights, with India already 3-0 up, the whole scene looks absolutely beautiful. Perfect setting for more goals to come.

Sixteen minutes on the clock, and we’re rolling into the second quarter. Hardik gets us going with the pushback as India eye more goals to keep this juggernaut rolling. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, will be desperate to carve out at least a few chances of their own, but so far, it’s been all India.

"Stop playing hockey, you're always getting injured!" Abhishek Nain's mother said, fear clouding her voice. But the boy didn’t flinch. The sting of a grass burn or a scratch felt like a small price to pay for the freedom he yearned for. That day, he looked at her and said, "I want to do something different."

What started as running from the classroom eventually turned into running on a hockey field, but playing for the Indian hockey team? “That felt like a dream too distant to even consider,” he told Outlook India.

Read Abhishek Nain's Exclusive Interview

Seventeenth minute and India are right back on the attack. Dilpreet latches onto a pass inside the circle, but before he can get that all-important second touch, the Kazakh keeper dives in and pushes it away. India immediately appeal, go upstairs for a review, and they’re spot on. It’s judged an intentional push out of play, which means penalty corner for India.

And the captain is READY.

Harmanpreet steps up for the drag flick, strikes it clean and hard, bang, it smashes against the post with a loud thud that echoes around the stadium. The rebound doesn’t fall kindly for India, and Kazakhstan breathe a sigh of relief as the chance slips away. Still 3-0.

Abhishek is absolutely on fire tonight! Twenty minutes in, Dilpreet almost sneaks one in on the left but fumbles the control, no worries though, because seconds later India strike again.

Who else but Abhishek! The keeper rushes out to close him down, but Abhishek coolly takes a step back, opens up his angle, and slots it past with ease. Hat-trick hero already, and India storm ahead 4-0.

India finally nail one from a penalty corner and it’s Jugraj who delivers the hammer blow. Steps up, whips in a blistering drag flick, and it flies straight into the net, the keeper rooted, the line defender ducking out of survival instinct more than anything. Pure power, pure precision. India 5-0 and cruising.

Sixth goal and the skipper joins the party! India work it beautifully from the right, slip the ball into the middle, and Sukhjeet wins another penalty corner. Harmanpreet steps up this time, cool, focused, and bang. A low, thunderous drag flick straight past the keeper and defender. No stopping that one. India march ahead 6-0, and Harmanpreet gets his first of the night.

It’s raining goals in Rajgir! Twenty-ninth minute and India win yet another penalty corner, Shilanand doing the hard work to draw the foot inside the circle. This time it’s Amit Rohidas who steps up, and he buries it.

A fierce drag flick to the keeper’s right, unstoppable. India up 7-0 now, and Kazakhstan look completely out of their depth against this relentless Indian squad.

Half-time whistle blows and it’s been one-way traffic in Rajgir, India all over Kazakhstan with seven goals in just two quarters. The hosts have controlled every inch of this match, moving the ball with ease and punishing every mistake.

Kazakhstan did carve out a couple of penalty corners and counter chances, but nothing to really test the Indian defence.

Abhishek has been the headline act with a sizzling hat-trick of field goals, while Sukhjeet, Harmanpreet, Jugraj and Amit Rohidas have all joined the scoring spree.

India head into the break 7-0 up, and the crowd is already waiting for more fireworks in the second half.

Second half kicks off in Rajgir! India already sitting pretty with a 7-0 lead, but knowing this side, they’ll be hungry for plenty more. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, will just want to keep things tighter and avoid another flood of goals. Crowd’s buzzing again, let’s see how many more India can rack up.

Big drama early in the second half! Rajinder storms into the circle with acres of space, slips it to Mandeep, and the veteran cleverly squares it for Dilpreet. He smashes it at goal, the ball ricochets off a Kazakh foot, clear as day, but the on-field umpires miss it.

Dilpreet immediately appeals, finger in the air, and we’re off to the TV umpire. Tension building, will India get a penalty stroke here?

Confirmed, penalty stroke for India, and it takes just thirty seconds into the third quarter for the hosts to strike again. Jugraj Singh steps up with total composure, glances at the keeper, and whips it into the left corner. No stopping that one. India stretch the lead to 8-0, Jugraj bags his second.

Unbelievable start to the second half, India just tearing Kazakhstan apart! By the 32nd minute, they’ve rattled in three goals in quick succession and hit double figures.

The tenth is the simplest of the lot, Dilpreet and Sukhjeet find themselves 2-on-1 with the poor Kazakh keeper, Dilpreet squares it unselfishly, and Sukhjeet taps it in without breaking a sweat. India 10-0, and they’re not slowing down one bit.

Mandeep dances his way into the circle, twisting and turning before winning yet another penalty corner with ridiculous ease. India mix things up and hand it to Rajinder, who goes for the flick, but the first runner is out like lightning to make a superb block. Kazakhstan deny India, for now.

Another penalty corner, and the noise in the stands rises, everyone sensing goal number 11. Abhishek sends the ball in clean, the setup looks sharp, but the finish just isn’t there this time. India fail to convert, and Kazakhstan escape again. Still 10-0.

36 minutes in and India make it 11. Sumit and Manpreet combine neatly before sliding it into Vivek inside the circle. He pulls off a sensational little pass, threading it through the tiniest of gaps to find Sukhjeet. The forward is waiting, cool as ever, and sweeps it in to complete his hat-trick. Stunning team play, Vivek’s vision made that goal sparkle.

End of the third quarter and it’s India 11, Kazakhstan 0. Honestly, the only surprise is that it’s not more.

Sukhjeet has grabbed his hat-trick, Abhishek already has one, and now Dilpreet is sniffing around trying to join the club. One more quarter to go, expect the goals to keep flowing.

And we’re back for the fourth and final quarter. India lead 11-0, but with this form, the crowd knows the scoring isn’t over yet. Kazakhstan will be hoping to keep it respectable, while India look set to keep tearing them apart. Let’s see what the last 15 minutes bring.

Jugraj Singh strikes again at 46:18. Another clinical finish for India as they continue to steamroll Kazakhstan.

Forty-seventh minute and Kazakhstan finally get a sniff! They win a rare penalty corner, but Suraj is alert and makes a brilliant save to keep India’s clean sheet intact. Still 12-0, and India showing no mercy.

Forty-nine minutes in and Kazakhstan are desperate for a breakthrough. They win another penalty corner after a long review, but Amit Rohidas, arguably the world’s best first rusher, smothers it with ease. Then a long corner comes their way, again, nothing comes of it. India still cruising at 12-0, completely in control.

Harmanpreet steps aside, Sanjay takes over the battery, and Hardik feeds him a perfect ball, he smashes a thunderous drag flick into the top-right corner. Then Dilpreet finally gets his goal, flicking a rebound through the keeper’s legs. India roar to 14-0, and the team’s joy is pure and contagious.

Abhishek back in the spotlight! After Sukhjeet weaves through five defenders with a brilliant dribble, he slips a perfect pass to Abhishek, who calmly taps it in. Four for him, 15 for India, unstoppable IND wave continues.

And there’s the full-time whistle, and this time Kazakhstan must be relieved to hear it! What a hammering that was, India ran riot, netting 15 goals in a dazzling display to finish the league stage of the Asia Cup.

Sukhjeet Singh is the Player of the Match.

That’s a wrap! Kazakhstan will need some time to recover from this hammering. We’ll be back with another live blog next time, until then, bye-bye.