Hockey India Jr Women National 2026: Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, MP in semis
Synopsis
Four central and eastern Indian states — Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh — swept the quarterfinals of the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 in Pune, with Jharkhand's dramatic shootout win over Odisha the standout result of the day. Friday's semis now set up a battle of regional hockey powerhouses.
Key Takeaways
Hockey Jharkhand , Hockey Madhya Pradesh , Hockey Haryana , and Chhattisgarh Hockey qualified for the semifinals on 20 August 2026 .
Jharkhand beat Odisha 4-3 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw; Rajni Karketta scored in both regulation and the shootout.
Madhya Pradesh defeated Manipur 3-1 , with Kajal netting a brace.
Haryana beat Chandigarh 3-1 and Chhattisgarh thrashed Uttar Pradesh 5-2 .
Semifinals on 21 August : Jharkhand vs Madhya Pradesh and Haryana vs Chhattisgarh at the Maj.
Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium, Pune .
Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Haryana, and Chhattisgarh Hockey advanced to the semifinals of the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026 at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune on Thursday, 20 August 2026. The four quarterfinal results set up two high-stakes semifinal clashes on Friday, with all four central Indian and eastern states booking their spots in the last four of the tournament organised by Hockey Maharashtra under the aegis of Hockey India.
Jharkhand Edge Odisha in Shootout Thriller
The opening quarterfinal was the most dramatic of the day. Hockey Jharkhand and the Hockey Association of Odisha could not be separated after regulation, finishing 1-1 at full time. Lugan Anjulata (24') gave Odisha the lead before Rajni Karketta (33') equalised for Jharkhand.
In the shootout, Jharkhand converted through Salomi Nag, Anupria Soreng, Dungdung Switi, and Rajni Karketta to win 4-3, while Odisha scored via Drupati Naik, Aamad Ashika, and Ajita Ekka. Jamuna Kumari missed for Jharkhand; Atlaya Lakra and Bhoi Doli missed for Odisha.
Madhya Pradesh Dismantle Manipur 3-1
In the fourth quarterfinal, Hockey Madhya Pradesh eliminated Manipur Hockey with a commanding 3-1 victory. Kajal struck twice — a penalty corner in the 25th minute and a field goal in the 43rd — while Tanvi added a penalty corner goal in the 37th minute. Chanu Romita Waribam pulled one back for Manipur via a penalty corner in the 44th minute, but it proved too little. Madhya Pradesh led 1-0 at half time.
Haryana and Chhattisgarh Cruise Through
Hockey Haryana dispatched Hockey Chandigarh 3-1 in the second quarterfinal. Durga (14'), Diksha (19'), and Sukhpreet Kaur (59') were on target for Haryana, with Chandigarh's only reply coming from Apram (39'). Haryana held a 2-0 half-time advantage.
The most one-sided contest of the day was the third quarterfinal, where Chhattisgarh Hockey routed Uttar Pradesh Hockey 5-2. Yashoda (9', 37'), Rukhamani (19'), Anjali Ekka (24'), and Yadav Sheetal (44') were the scorers for Chhattisgarh. Sankar Payal (22') and Annu (33') replied for Uttar Pradesh, but Chhattisgarh were in command at 3-1 at the break.
Semifinal Line-up on Friday
The stage is set for two compelling last-four contests on Friday, 21 August 2026. In the first semifinal, Hockey Jharkhand will face Hockey Madhya Pradesh, while the second semifinal pits Hockey Haryana against Chhattisgarh Hockey. Both matches promise competitive hockey as each side demonstrated clear quality across the quarterfinal round.
Point of View
Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. Jharkhand's shootout resilience against Odisha, a perennial junior hockey contender, underlines how competitive the eastern corridor has become. Haryana's continued dominance at junior level, meanwhile, signals that its women's hockey pipeline remains the country's deepest. The real question heading into Friday is whether any of these sides have the tactical maturity to replicate this form in knockout pressure — the semifinal pairings offer no easy paths.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who reached the semifinals of the Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026?
Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Haryana, and Chhattisgarh Hockey qualified for the semifinals after winning their respective quarterfinals on 20 August 2026 at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune.
How did Jharkhand qualify for the semifinals?
Jharkhand beat the Hockey Association of Odisha via a shootout, winning 4-3 after the match ended 1-1 at full time. Salomi Nag, Anupria Soreng, Dungdung Switi, and Rajni Karketta converted in the shootout for Jharkhand.
What are the semifinal fixtures on 21 August 2026?
In the first semifinal, Hockey Jharkhand will face Hockey Madhya Pradesh. The second semifinal will see Hockey Haryana take on Chhattisgarh Hockey, both matches at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune.
Who were the top scorers in the quarterfinals?
Kajal of Madhya Pradesh scored a brace against Manipur, while Yashoda of Chhattisgarh also netted twice against Uttar Pradesh. Rajni Karketta scored in both regulation time and the shootout for Jharkhand against Odisha.
Who is organising the 16th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2026?
The tournament is being organised by Hockey Maharashtra under the aegis of Hockey India, and is being held at the Maj. Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in Pune.
