LUCKNOW, May 30 -- Captain Ketan Kushwaha led from the front with three goals as the Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team opened its campaign at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 with a dominant 13-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday in Pool A. Besides Kushwaha, Prahalad Rajbhar, Ashish Tani Purti, Ansh Bahutra and Shahrukh Ali registered a brace each. India controlled proceedings from the outset and were rewarded for their persistence after Kazakhstan weathered the early pressure. Shahrukh Ali broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike from inside the circle in the 12th minute before Prahalad Rajbhar doubled the advantage just two minutes later, giving India a firm grip on the contest by the end of the first quarter (2-0). Goals continued to flow in the second quarter. Captain Kushwaha, who hails from Lucknow Hockey Hostel, was well placed to finish from close range after India won possession high up the pitch in the 18th minute, while Gazee Khan (20th minute) added a fourth shortly after to extend the lead. India showed no signs of easing off before the break. Shahrukh (29th minute) completed his brace with a clinical finish, and Purti (30th minute) converted a penalty corner a minute later, as India surged to a commanding 6-0 lead at half-time. The third quarter proved to be the most productive, with four of India's five goals coming through penalty corners. Bahutra (31st, 44th minute) converted twice while Purti also went on to complete a brace. There was no change in India's dominance as in the final minute of the quarter, Kushwaha scored twice in quick succession, including a penalty corner, to complete his hat-trick. India finished the third quarter with an 11-0 lead. The men in blue kept the pressure on in the final quarter to round off a resounding victory. Akash Deep (47th minute) tapped the ball into an open goal to put his name on the scoresheet before Rajbhar scored his second goal of the day in the 51st minute. India will next face hosts Japan on May 31 at 1.30 p.m. as they look to continue their winning start to the tournament....