Key points
- Indian Navy beat Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) 5-4 in a penalty shootout in the final of the 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup.
- The teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Abhishek Topno scored for Indian Navy after a cross from Pawan Rajbhar.
- Anmol Ekka equalised for BPCL from a penalty corner before half-time.
- Both teams converted four attempts and missed one in the initial shootout sequence, taking the final into sudden death.
- Indian Navy goalkeeper Ankit Malik saved Sudeep Chirmako's sudden-death attempt, and Kuldeep converted the decisive attempt for the title.
Indian Navy claimed the 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup title after defeating Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) 5-4 in a penalty shootout at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. The final was locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time before goalkeeper Ankit Malik produced the defining moment in sudden death and Kuldeep converted the winning attempt.
Malik and Kuldeep decide a tense shootout
The shootout remained finely balanced through its initial sequence, with both teams converting four attempts and missing one. With neither side able to establish an advantage, the contest moved into sudden death, where the goalkeepers and the next penalty takers carried the weight of the final.
Malik rose to the occasion for Indian Navy, saving BPCL's Sudeep Chirmako's attempt. Kuldeep then took responsibility for the Navy and converted, sealing a 5-4 shootout victory and the championship. It was a dramatic conclusion to a match in which neither team had managed to break the deadlock after the interval.
The result also meant Indian Navy had negotiated two consecutive knockout matches through penalty shootouts. The side had beaten defending champions Indian Railways in the semifinal before holding its nerve again against BPCL in the title match.
Navy strike first through Topno
Despite a slight drizzle, supporters gradually arrived at the stadium as the final began. The wet surface offered the prospect of quicker movement, but both teams started cautiously, weighing their attacking options rather than committing too many players forward.
BPCL enjoyed more possession and made early attempts to trouble the Navy defence with long passes. Indian Navy gradually found its rhythm, using quicker transitions and looking to move the ball along the ground and into wide areas. That approach produced the opening goal.
Experienced forward Pawan Rajbhar delivered a cross into the circle, where Abhishek Topno turned the ball into the net to put Indian Navy ahead. The goal rewarded the Navy's growing confidence after BPCL had begun the match with greater possession and attacking intent.
Ekka brings BPCL level before half-time
The second quarter began at a higher tempo, with both teams appearing more settled in their roles. Defenders on either side worked hard to stop attacks before they could develop into clear chances inside the circle. BPCL briefly thought it had found an equaliser through a move involving a long ball from 2016 Olympian Devindar Walmiki, but the goal was disallowed after the referee judged that the BPCL player had controlled the ball with a hand.
Indian Navy had an opportunity to extend its lead when Nitesh was left with space in the circle after a push pass from K Selvaraj. He could not control and finish quickly enough, allowing Devindar to recover and clear the danger. The missed chance proved important as BPCL soon drew level.
Minutes before the interval, BPCL earned a penalty corner and Anmol Ekka converted to make it 1-1. The equaliser reset the contest and left both sides needing another goal to avoid a shootout.
Measured second half leads to penalties
The teams looked to attack down the wings in the third quarter, moving the ball quickly into the circle in search of penalty corners. Both sides earned set-piece opportunities, but neither could convert. The defences continued to hold firm as the match moved into its final period.
Fatigue became more visible in the fourth quarter, and the pace of the game slowed. Both teams were cautious, aware that one mistake could decide the trophy. Neither found a breakthrough in the closing 15 minutes, so the final was settled by a shootout.
Former Olympian Adam Sinclair had described the importance of the final quarter before the match, saying: “Hockey has become like the T20 cricket format. The last quarter decides the game, and if you are able to stay in the game till the last quarter, on a given day it can go either way.” The final's eventual route to penalties reflected the fine margins he had highlighted.
Back-to-back shootout wins deliver the trophy
Indian Navy's title run was shaped by its ability to handle knockout pressure. After overcoming Indian Railways in the semifinal shootout, the team faced another high-pressure sequence against BPCL. Malik's sudden-death save and Kuldeep's successful conversion completed the job and gave the Navy the 97th edition of the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup.
For BPCL, the final ended in a narrow defeat after a disciplined effort to recover from going behind. Ekka's penalty-corner goal had brought the team back into the contest, and the side stayed level through the remainder of regulation time. But Indian Navy made the decisive plays when the title came down to the shootout.
In front of the Chennai crowd, Indian Navy finished the tournament as champions after two successive penalty-shootout victories. The 1-1 draw in regulation time gave way to a 5-4 result from the spot, with Malik and Kuldeep providing the moments that settled the 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup final.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament?
Indian Navy won the 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup, defeating Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the final ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
What was the score in the Indian Navy vs BPCL final?
The final was tied 1-1 after regulation time. Indian Navy then won the penalty shootout 5-4, with both teams scoring four and missing one in the initial sequence before the match was decided in sudden death.
Who made the decisive save in the Murugappa Gold Cup final?
Indian Navy goalkeeper Ankit Malik made the key sudden-death save, denying BPCL's Sudeep Chirmako. Kuldeep then stepped up for the Navy and converted the decisive attempt to secure the championship.
Who scored for Indian Navy and BPCL in regulation time?
Abhishek Topno scored Indian Navy's goal after Pawan Rajbhar delivered a cross into the circle. Anmol Ekka equalised for BPCL from a penalty corner shortly before the end of the first half, making it 1-1.
Where was the 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup final played?
The final was held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Indian Navy and BPCL were level 1-1 at the end of regulation time before the Navy won the shootout 5-4.
How did Indian Navy reach the MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup final?
Indian Navy reached the final after defeating defending champions Indian Railways in a semifinal shootout. The team then won another penalty shootout against BPCL in the final, making it successive shootout victories on the way to the title.