The Indian men’s hockey team started its campaign in the 17th Asian Games on a rousing note, blanking Sri Lanka 8-0 with Rupinderpal Singh scoring a hat-trick in Incheon on Sunday.

Rupinderpal pumped in three goals in the 12th, 45th and 46th minute, while Ramandeep Singh found the net in the 28th and 59th minute.

There were also goals for Danish Mujtaba, Kangujam Chinglensana Singh and Raghunath Ramachandra at the Seonhak Hockey Stadium.

Mujtaba gave India the lead in as early as the sixth minute of the pool B match.

Rupinderpal then converted a penalty stroke to put India 2-0 ahead.

Raghunath Ramachandra made it 3-0 for the former champions in the 13th minute, helping India enjoy complete control in the first quarter.

As per the new rule, the duration of the game has been reduced from 70 to 60 minutes, with four quarters of 15 minutes each.

Six minutes into the second quarter, Kangujam Chinglensana Singh scored a brilliant field goal to make it 4-0, as India completely dominated proceedings in the middle.

That was followed by Ramandeep making it 5-0 in favour of India. He scored one more time in the game, just before final hooter.

Before that though, Rupinder added to his tally by scoring in a span of one minute.