Indian women's hockey team's five biggest wins in the last decade

India women's hockey team resumed action after nearly a year with their tour to Argentina, which got underway on January 18.

The visitors began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Argentina junior side as Sharmila Devi and Deep Grace Ekka found the mark. Paula Santamarina and Briga Bruggesser, meanwhile, scored for the hosts.

In their second outing, the Indian eves were also held to a 1-1 draw in a close-fought contest against the Argentina junior team on Wednesday. Striker Rani Rampal scored the lone goal for the visitors.

India will, however, look to find their first win of the campaign in their next match against Argentina B team on Saturday.

In the past decade, the Indian eves have produced some scintillating performances. Let us have a look at some of their biggest wins in the last 10 years:

India beat Japan 2-1, October 2014

Indian women's hockey team beat Japan 2-1 to bag the 2014 Asian Games bronze medal at the Seohak Hockey Stadium in Incheon. The victory not only ensured a third podium spot for the Indian eves but also helped them reverse the outcome of the 2010 Asian Games where they lost the bronze medal match.

Jaspreet Kaur opened the scoring for India in the 23rd minute but the deficit was cut short by Japan's Akane Shibata in the 45th minute.

The Indian eves, however, were quick to bounce back as Vandana Kayaria scored the winner only a minute later.

It was India’s first medal-finish at a multi-sport event since they won the bronze at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

India beat Germany 2-1, February 2015

The Indian team held their nerve to beat Germany 2-1 in the pre-world league Round 2 series. Though India was lower ranked than the Germans – 13 to 8—they stayed close to the European rivals throughout the first half. Both the teams failed to find the back of the net before half time.

It was only in the 40th minute that Deepika scored the opening goal and the Indian eves later doubled their lead as Amandeep Singh converted the penalty corner. Germany, however, cut short the deficit in the 59th minute.

But from there on, the Indian eves showed resilience as the Germans failed to find the equalizer.

India beat Australia 1-0, November 2016

The Indian women’s hockey team started their bilateral series against Australia, in Australia, with a historic 1-0 win.

Captain Rani Rampal slotted home the winner in the 21st minute as India, ranked No 12 in the world, upset World No 4 Australia.

Goalkeeper Rajani Etimmarpu also played her part, making some crucial saves, to help India script their very first win over hockey powerhouse Australia.

India beat England 2-1, April 2018

Indian eves registered a stunning comeback to beat World No 2 England 2-1 in the pool A match of Commonwealth Games 2018.

Gurjit Kaur and Navneet Kaur scored the goals for the India in the 42nd and 48th minute respectively after England took lead through their captain Alexandra Danson 35 seconds into the game.

It was one of the biggest upsets of the Games, as India defeated the reigning Olympic champions, to keep their semi-final chances alive.

India beat USA 6-5 on aggregate, November 2019

India women's hockey team's Tokyo 2020 qualification was not short of drama. The Indian eves had to withstand a terrific fightback from USA to triumph in the two-legged FIH qualifier in November 2019 which finished 6-5 in favour of India.

India thrashed the Americans 5-1 in the first leg in Bhubaneswar. Their qualification was expected to be mere formality in the second leg on the very next day. However, the game did not play out according to the script.

The visitors got off to a storming start in the second match as it took them only 28 minutes to roar into a 4-0 lead and pull level on aggregate. Amanda Magadan scored a brace while their captain Kathleen Sharkey and Alyssa Parker added one goal each to take a 4-0 lead in the first half of the thriller.

The Indian eves, under immense pressure, showed resilience and held the Americans at bay in the third quarter. In the final quarter, India captain Rani Rampal, with the game poised on a knife's edge, took matters in her own hands and scored a goal in the 48th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures. The visitors pressed hard in the final minutes but failed to find the back of the net.

The result? India qualified for Tokyo 2020 and celebrated it with a victory lap.