IND vs CHN Highlights, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India held by China after leading twice in World Cup opener

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: Brilliant move from India. Persistence near the box, and they have won the PC.

India take the PC. Deflected, Navneet gets a second bite. OH!!!! The ball has clambered onto an Indian player. The game pauses a bit.

CHN - 1:1 - IND (7') (2nd Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: China are pressing very deep. They are waiting for mistakes from the Indian attackers and then they are trying to break on pace.

CHN -1:1 - IND (6') (2nd Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: China are imposing themselves here. One more shot from them, the Indian goalkeeper stands tall.

CHN - 1:1 - IND (3') (2nd Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: The second quarter gets underway. China will be looking to show more domination here. India need to continue with the show they presented in the first 15 minutes.

CHN - 1:1 - IND (1') (2nd Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: Clinical strike. China are back on level terms.

CHN -1:1 - IND (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: OH!!!! Penalty stroke for China. A review taken by India. The replay shows that there was a genuine push from the Indian defender. A penalty stroke seems inevitable.

The penalty stroke has been given.

CHN - 0:1 - IND (15') (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: Move from the right. A brilliant pass. That needed only a touch. But it evades everyone. India survive.

CHN -0:1 - IND (15') (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: The goal from China has awakened the Chinese. They are now trying to keep possession and find their way back into the match. Indian defence still standing strong.

CHN -0:1 - IND (11') (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: GOAL!!!! India have the lead!!! Brilliant move!!!! Pass from outside the box and a deflection from Navneet to give India the lead.

CHN - 0:1 - IND (8') (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: Get move from India inside the box, and they win the penalty corner. A shot but deflected away by the Chinese goalkeeper.

CHN -0:0 - IND (6') (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: The Indian team are gradually settling in, they are dominating the possession so far. However, no real threats to the goals so far from any of them.

CHN - 0:0 - IND (5') (1st Q)

IND vs CHN LIVE Updates: India looking defend deep and then beat the Chinese defence on pace. However, so far, none of the teams have picked up the rhythm they want.

CHN - 0:0 - IND (4') (1st Q)

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China get the ball rolling and immediately tries to dominate play.

CHN - 0:0 - IND (2') (1st Q)

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: So, the national anthems are done. We get the ball rolling. This promises to be a very exciting clash.

IND - 0:0 - China (1') (1st Q)

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: The umpires take the field, followed by the players. The national anthem of the two teams will take place and then the action will get on the way.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: In the last three encounters, China have won. India would look to turn the tables this time around.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China's biggest strength against India lies in their disciplined defensive structure and ability to punish mistakes quickly. Alyson Annan's side are comfortable absorbing pressure before breaking at pace, while their efficiency inside the circle makes them particularly dangerous. Their 4-1 win over India in the 2025 Asia Cup final also showed how clinically they can exploit defensive lapses, making ball retention and concentration crucial for India.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India's biggest weapon against China could be their ability to play at speed and attack with freedom. Their recent progress has been built around sharper circle penetration, improved fitness and a better balance between experienced players and youngsters. If Salima Tete can drive the midifiled and India move the ball quickly, they have the tools to disrupt China's structure and create openings.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India's playing XI is here.

Playing XI - Savita (GK), Shilpi Dabas, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur, Sushila Chanu, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Rutuja Pisal, Sakshi Rana, Deepika

Subs - Beauty Dung Dung, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Lalremsiami, Bichu Devi (GK), Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China enter the World Cup firmly established among the elite. Olympic silver medalists at Paris 2024, they followed by winning the 2025 Asia Cup and finishing fourth in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FIH Pro League seasons. Ranked among the world's leading teams, Alyson Annan's side arrive with consistency, experience and genuine ambitions of challenging for the title.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India enter the World Cup in impressive form, having finished in the top two in each of their last three tournaments. After silver medals at the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Salima Tete's side went unbeaten at June's Nations CUp, winning all five matches before defeating New Zealand 2-0 in the final to lift the title.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India must finish in Pool D's top two to reach the second phase, where the leading sides from Pool A - potentially the Netherlands and Australia - could await. From there, only the two advance directly to the semi-finals, with no quarter-final. India are outsiders rather than title favourites, but their unbeaten Nations Cup triumph suggests a deep run is certainly within reach.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India and China have built a fiercly competitive rivalry in Asian Hockey. China crushed India 4-0 in the 2023 Asian Games semi-final, but India hit back with a 1-0 victory in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy final. More recently, China regained the upper hand, beating India 4-1 in the 2025 Asia Cup final - adding another edge to their World Cup meeting.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: China's best Women's Hockey World Cup campaign came in 2002, when they finished third to claim their only medal in the competition. They have remained regular World Cup participants since, though without returning to the podium. After finishing ninth in 2022, China enter the 2026 edition as Asia Champions and will believe their experience and recent progress can fuel another deep run.

IND vs China, FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: India are making their ninth appearance at the Women's Hockey World Cup, but a podium finish has remained elusive. Their best campaign came at the inaugural edition in 1974, when they finished fourth. India have since struggled to match that breakthrough, finishing eighth in 2018 and ninth in 2022. The 2026 tournament offers another opportunity to finally end that long wait for a medal.