India men's hockey team begins South Africa tour with commanding 4-0 win in friendly against France

The Indian men's hockey team kicked off its 2024 South Africa tour with a commanding 4-0 win against France in Cape Town on Monday.

While the Indian defence remained resolute with France unable to breach PR Sreejesh and Krishan Pathak, who took turns to share the responsibility under the Indian goal, captain Harmanpreet Singh (13’, 26’), Lalit Upadhyay (42’) and vice-captain Hardik Singh (49’) scored the goals on the other end.

India, world No. 3 in the hockey rankings, opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Harmanpreet's exceptional drag flick. He added to his team's scoreline late in the second quarter via another penalty corner. India were leading 2-0 at half-time.

India's third goal came off a brilliant penalty variation where the team's experienced forward Lalit Upadhyay converted the goal in the 42nd minute.  

In the 49th minute, experienced attacking midfielder and vice-captain Hardik Singh took the Indian hockey team's lead to a formidable 4-0 through a finely executed field goal, ensuring his team registered a splendid win. 

The week-long four-nation tournament features the ninth-ranked France, world No. 1 the Netherlands, India and hosts South Africa, world No. 14. 

On Wednesday, India will face France in their second match, followed by a match against hosts South Africa on Friday and will take on the Netherlands on Sunday.