New Delhi: The Indian women’s hockey team clinched the FIH Women’s Nations Cup 2025-26 title with a 2-0 victory over hosts New Zealand in the final at Auckland on Sunday, securing promotion back to the FIH Pro League for the 2026-27 season.
Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo scored in the opening quarter as India, ranked ninth in the world, defeated world No. 10 New Zealand at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre. Navneet opened the scoring in the fourth minute by converting a penalty corner, while Sunelita doubled the lead in the 15th minute with a deflection from a drag-flick.
India dominated the early stages of the match, creating several scoring opportunities and winning five penalty corners in the first quarter. Despite New Zealand increasing the pressure after the break, the Indian defence remained solid, ensuring goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam was rarely tested.
The victory earned India its second FIH Nations Cup crown, following its inaugural edition in 2022. Lalremsiami Hmarzote was named Player of the Match in the final, while Deepika finished as the tournament’s joint top scorer with six goals.
The title also secured India’s return to the FIH Pro League after the team was relegated following a bottom-place finish in the 2024-25 season.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s hockey team ended its Rotterdam leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-26 with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Olympic champions Netherlands on Sunday.
Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, and Rajinder Singh scored for India, while Pepijn van der Heijden and Koen Bijen found the net for the hosts.
After a goalless opening quarter, Jugraj put India ahead in the 18th minute through a penalty corner. The Netherlands equalised moments later through van der Heijden, but Abhishek restored India’s lead before half-time with a well-taken backhand strike.
India maintained its advantage through a disciplined defensive display in the second half before Rajinder Singh converted a penalty corner in the 56th minute to make it 3-1. Koen Bijen pulled one back late for the Netherlands, but India held on for the victory.
Stand-in Captain Hardik Singh was named Player of the Match. India remained eighth in the FIH Pro League standings with 10 points from 12 matches.
The Indian men’s team will next face Pakistan in London, while the women’s side will return to the FIH Pro League in the 2026-27 season.
