High drama unfolded on day two of the 41st PSPB Inter-Unit Hockey Tournament in Pune, where BPCL narrowly defeated ONGC 4-3 to claim sole leadership, while IOCL delivered a commanding 2-0 win over EIL.
BPCL trailed early after Gurjot Singh’s opener for ONGC in the 17th minute. Veteran Varun Kumar, the 2002 Olympic hero, drew level with a penalty corner conversion at 22 minutes. Tushar Khandekar (37′) and Vishwas J (45′) then fired field goals to hand BPCL a 3-1 halftime edge.
ONGC mounted a fierce rally post-interval. Jagwant Singh scored in the 52nd minute, followed by Rajinder Singh’s riposte for BPCL in the 56th to make it 4-2. Bikash Toppo’s 59th-minute strike set up a nervy finale, but BPCL clung to victory and six points.
IOCL dominated their matchup against EIL, with Roshan Minz striking early in the 14th minute and Sunil Yadav adding a second in the 54th. The clean sheet boosts IOCL to three points, matching ONGC, as EIL struggles without a goal.
These results showcase the blend of experience and youth driving PSU hockey. BPCL’s comeback spirit and IOCL’s precision signal a fiercely competitive path ahead in this prestigious event.