Hockey News: Top Player Goals for India in Men's Hockey

A significant part of its appeal is attributed to the goalscoring prowess of the players. Indian forwards have brought immense glory to India and popularised the sport over time.

Here is a list of players with the highest number of goals in men's hockey for the Indian team!

5. Rupinder Pal Singh (119)

Ruper Pal Singh is known for his excellent performances at big-ticket events, having landed three gold medals at the Asian Champions Trophy (2011, 2016) and the 2014 Asian Games. 

Known as one of the most brilliant drag-flickers in the world, Singh netted four goals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was the highest scorer at the 2011 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, and his first international hat-trick arrived against Great Britain in the same tournament.

He made his India debut at the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where his team were crowned champions.

4. V.R. Raghunath (132)

V.R. Raghunath was deployed as a full-back whose drag-flicking skills are remembered today. He scored 132 goals in 228 matches for India during his career that took off in 2005 and ended in 2017.

He was a key player in India's winning run at the 2007 Asia Cup and 2014 Asian Games. He won two silver medals in Asia Cup (2008, 2013) and a bronze at the 2007 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. 

Raghunath became the Player of the Tournament for netting six goals at the 2013 Asia Cup.

3. Dhanraj Pillay (170)

Pillay had a 15-year-long career where he played 339 matches and scored 170 goals for the Indian National team. His finesse and expertise in the sport landed him the "Padma Shri" award in 2000. 

He led his team to wins at the Asia Games (1998) and Asia Cup (2003). He is the only Player to compete in four World Cup tournaments (1990-2002), four Olympic events (1992-2004), four Asian Games events (1990-2002), and four Champions Trophy runs (1995, 1996, 2002, 2003).

2. Balbir Singh Sr. (246)

Singh is arguably the most outstanding center-forward ever witnessed in field hockey. The three-time Olympic gold medalist scored 246 goals during his 61 international appearances (1947–1958). 

He made a record of five goals, the highest number scored by a player in an Olympic men's hockey final.  

1. Major Dhyan Chand (570)

Major Dhyan Chand's greatness spawns more than two decades of brilliant sportsmanship. He has secured 570 career goals as a centre-forward, and his control over the ball made him worthy of his nickname "The Wizard." 

Chand was a player in the pre-Independence era (1926–1949). He bagged three consecutive Olympic gold medals during India's long reign over field hockey. 

They won seven out of eight Olympic Hockey events from 1928-1964, and now, India's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports is called the "Dhyan Chand Award", and his birthday August 29, is widely known as National Sports Day.