Raghunath sparkles

Captain V R Raghunath scored a hat-trick as Uttar Pradesh Wizards came from a two-goal deficit to thrash Mumbai Magicians 5-3 in the second edition of the Hero Hockey India League on Wednesday.

Raghunath scored in the 28th, 41st and 56th minutes from the penalty corners to secure the second win for his team in the league.

It was the hosts who took the lead in the 12th minute through their star drag-flicker Gurjinder Singh. Wizards got a golden opportunity to equalise a few minutes later when the ball appeared to touch the defender’s foot and they earned a penalty stroke but they couldn’t utilise the chance as Luke Doerner failed to sound the board.

Mumbai captain Glenn Turner (18th minute) later scored off a rebound after a failed target to increase the lead to 2-0. The Wizards were unable to convert most of their penalty corners.