India began its Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-2 draw against China in a thrilling Group D encounter at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Sunday.
India started brightly and took the lead in the eighth minute through Navneet Kaur, who produced a clever finish after receiving the ball inside the circle. China responded just before the end of the first quarter, with Zhang Ying converting a penalty stroke to make it 1-1.
India regained the lead in the second quarter. Deepika found the net from a penalty corner after her drag-flick took deflections off two Chinese defenders before crossing the goal line. India went into half-time with a 2-1 advantage.
However, China came out strongly after the break and put India under sustained pressure. The hosts were rewarded in the third quarter when Ma Ning unleashed a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner that beat goalkeeper Savita to level the score at 2-2.
India struggled to create attacking opportunities in the second half as China dominated possession and repeatedly entered the Indian circle. Savita and the Indian defence produced crucial interventions to prevent China from taking the lead.
India had late chances through Navneet Kaur and Lalremsiami but could not find a winner. China also earned penalty corners in the final minutes, but India held firm.
The 2-2 result sees both teams take one point from their opening Group D match. India will look to build on the performance in its upcoming World Cup fixtures.
