Chennai, 30th October 2026: Indian Railways (RSPB) booked their place in the semi-finals after dominating the tournament with three wins and one draw, the latest being a thrilling 4-4 draw against Punjab National Bank (PNB) on Day 8 of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament in Chennai on Thursday.
Naveen Antil scored hat-trick goals in the last four minutes to help Punjab National Bank (PNB) hold Indian Railways (RSPB) to a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first match. PNB took the lead in the 11th minute when Gursimran Singh converted to a penalty corner. RSPB turned the game around in the second quarter, with Sheshe Gowda scoring from penalty corners in the 26th and 28th minutes.
Lovepreet Singh put RSPB 3-1 ahead with a field goal in the 31st minute, and Jaswinder Singh made it 4-1 with another field goal in the 47th minute. RSPB looked set for victory until Naveen Antil struck three field goals in the 57th, 59th and 60th minutes to complete a hat-trick and level the scores at 4-4. The match ended in a draw.
In the last league match of the tournament, Indian Navy beat Malaysia Hockey Confederation – Juniors 4-2 to secure a place in the semi-finals. Bhavin Kushalappa gave Indian Navy the lead with a field goal in the 8th minute, but Muhamad Harith levelled for Malaysia Jr with a field goal in the 27th minute. K Selvaraj restored Indian Navy’s lead with a penalty corner in the 30th minute, and Pawan Rajbhar made it 3-1 with a field goal in the 36th minute. Nitesh stretched the lead to 4-1 with a field goal in the 43rd minute. Muhammad Aizat pulled one back for Malaysia Jr with a field goal in the 44th minute, but Indian Navy held on to secure the win.
With these results, the league stage is complete in both pools. In Pool A, Indian Railways finish at the top with 10 points, while Indian Army, on 5 points, take second place to join them in the semi-finals. In Pool B, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) finish on top with 10 points, and Indian Navy, on 8 points, take the second spot to complete the semifinal line-up.
The Results:
Pool A: Indian Railways (RSPB) 4 (Sheshe Gowda 26th and 28th minute, Both PC; Lovepreet Singh 31st minute, FG; Jaswinder Singh 47th minute, FG) drew Punjab National Bank (PNB) 4 (Gursimran Singh 11th minute, PC; Naveen Antil 57th, 59th and 60th minute, All FG).
Pool B: Indian Navy 4 (Bhavin Kushalappa 8th minute, FG; K Selvaraj 30th minute, PC; Pawan Rajbhar 36th minute, FG; Nitesh 43rd minute, FG) beat Malaysia Hockey Confederation – Juniors (MAS) 2 (Muhamad Harith 27th minute, FG; Muhammad Aizat 44th minute, FG).
Match schedule: Saturday, 31st October 2026
1st Semifinal at 4.00 PM – INDIAN RAILWAYS (RSPB) Vs INDIAN NAVY
2nd Semifinal at 6.00 PM – BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD (BPCL) Vs INDIAN ARMY
Points Table
| POOL ‘A’ | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | For | Against | Difference |
| INDIAN RAILWAYS – RSPB | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| INDIAN ARMY | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| HOCKEY KARNATAKA | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 |
| INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LTD | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -3 |
| PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 16 | -4 |
| POOL ‘B’ | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | For | Against | Difference |
| BHARAT PETROLEUM CORPORATION LTD | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 10 | 7 |
| INDIAN NAVY | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
| HOCKEY UNIT OF TAMIL NADU | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 12 | -2 |
| MALAYSIA HOCKEY CONFEDERATION – JUNIORS | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | -4 |
| SAI – NCOE, BHOPAL | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 17 | -6 |
Plant a Goal – A sustainability initiative by the Murugappa Group
As part of this year’s MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament, a special sustainability initiative successfully introduced last year will continue to drive our green commitment. Under ‘Plant a Goal’, this year, 20 plant saplings will be planted for every goal scored during the tournament. This initiative symbolises the Group’s commitment to environmental responsibility, linking the excitement of the game with a lasting ecological impact. The recently concluded MCC-Murugappa Tamil Nadu U-17 Boys & Girls School Hockey Tournament recorded 205 goals, while the ongoing 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament has recorded 104 goals so far. Together, the 309 goals have contributed to the planting of 6,180 saplings at Tharuvaikulam village in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, with the support of local communities. The initiative reflects the belief that every goal can contribute to both sporting excellence and a greener future.
About MCC and the tournament
The Madras Cricket Club is one of the premier sports institutions in the country, which organises major national-level tournaments in the disciplines of tennis, squash, cricket, badminton, billiards and hockey.
Originally started as the Madras Challenge Cup in 1901 and later named the AMM Arunachalam Challenge Cup after the first Indian President of Madras Cricket Club, this is the 97th edition of the tournament which along with Murugappa Group in the mid-90s was named MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament. From the early days, this tournament has been the premier hockey event in South India and one of the major competitions in the country attracting top teams and talent.
This tournament has been keenly observed by coaches and administrators for picking talent to represent the country. As the Madras Cricket Club, we are proud to be associated with the All India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and to be the only sporting club in India to host an event of such magnitude.
About Murugappa Group
A 126-year-old conglomerate with presence across India and the world, the INR 1,056 billion (₹105,582 crore) Murugappa Group has diverse businesses in agriculture, engineering, financial services and more.
The Group has 10 listed companies: Carborundum Universal Limited, CG Power & Industrial Solutions Limited, Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Limited, Cholamandalam Investment & Finance Company Limited, Coromandel International Limited, E.I.D.-Parry (India) Limited, NACL Industries Limited, Shanthi Gears Limited, Tube Investments of India Limited, and Wendt (India) Limited. Other major companies include Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited and Parry Agro Industries Limited.
Brands such as Ajax, Hercules, BSA, Montra, Montra Electric, Mach City, Chola, Chola MS, CG Power, CG Semi, Shanthi Gears, CUMI, Gromor, Paramfos, Parry’s are part of the Group’s illustrious stable.
Abrasives, technical ceramics, electrominerals, electric vehicles, auto components, fans, transformers, signalling equipment for railways, bicycles, fertilisers, sugar, tea, and several other products make up the Group’s business interests.
Guided by the Five lights — integrity, passion, quality, respect, and responsibility — and a culture of professionalism, the Group has a workforce of 1,06,224 employees.
