India blanked New Zealand 2-0 to start their campaign in the four-nation Punjab Gold Cup hockey tournament on a winning note.

Skipper Sandeep Singh put the hosts ahead, converting a penalty-corner in the 18th minute and forward Shivendra Singh sealed victory with six minutes remaining.

In the second match of the day, Holland defeated World and Olympic champions Germany by an identical margin thanks to a field goal from Lucas Judge and a penalty-corner conversion by Jeroen Hertzberger.