In a match packed with goals and gasps, BPCL overcame ONGC 4-3 on the second day of the 41st PSPB Inter-Unit Hockey Tournament at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune. The result catapults BPCL to six points and top spot after two victories.
ONGC led 1-0 via Gurjot Singh’s 17th-minute field goal. BPCL equalized through Varun Kumar’s penalty corner in the 22nd minute, the 2002 Olympic medalist’s poise shining through. Field goals by Tushar Khandekar (37′) and Vishwas J (45′) pushed BPCL ahead 3-1.
Tension escalated after the break as Jagwant Singh netted for ONGC (52′), making it 2-3. India international Rajinder Singh responded instantly almost, scoring in the 56th minute for 4-2. ONGC’s Bikash Toppo pulled one back at 59′, but BPCL defended stoutly.
Meanwhile, IOCL cruised to a 2-0 win over EIL courtesy of Roshan Minz (14′) and Sunil Yadav (54′). IOCL now shares second place with ONGC on three points each, while EIL faces an uphill battle.
The tournament’s early stages reveal BPCL’s grit and IOCL’s control, promising more exhilarating contests as PSU giants vie for supremacy on the hallowed turf.