India, Aug. 18 -- India produced the most emphatic victory in their Women's Hockey World Cup history on Tuesday, thrashing South Africa 6-1 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen to inject serious momentum into their Pool D campaign.

After being held to a 2-2 draw by China in their opening match, India needed a victory and preferably a sizeable one. They delivered both. Six different players found the net as Salima Tete's side overwhelmed South Africa across the middle two quarters and effectively settled the contest long before the final whistle. South Africa actually had an early opportunity to strike first when Caylin Maree broke through one-on-one, but the chance went begging. India soon punished that miss. Sunelita Toppo opened...