Top five best performers for India at the Asian Champions Trophy

The Men in Blue returned home with a bronze medal from the tournament.

India's campaign at the Asian Champions Trophy ended with a bronze medal. The Indian performance might have fallen short of expectations for many fans because of their exit before the finals at the hands of a weaker team in Japan, but their was no denying the quality. The Blues gave it their all on the pitch.

Right from the day of their first match against South Korea which resulted in a 2-2 draw, India gave a run for their money to every team they faced. They were the most dominant team in the pool stages, winning three out of their four games. Moreover they were also ruthless with their attacking. The team piled up a staggering 20 goals, while conceding just three in the run up to the semi-finals.

Here are the top five performers for India from this year's Asian Champions Trophy:

5. Akashdeep Singh

The two time Asian Champions Trophy gold medalist Akashdeep Singh left his indelible mark in this year's edition too. The 27-year-old striker from Punjab scored three goals for his side. He scored against Bangladesh and Pakistan in their group pool encounters. Both of these goals resulted in important wins. The first one leading to a 9-0 victory and the second one a 3-1 finish.

However Akashdeep's most crucial goal came against Pakistan during their third place playoff. The goal proved to be a winner. Scored in the 57th minute of the game, the goal ensured a bronze medal for India.

4. Jarmanpreet Singh

Jarmanpreet Singh is one player who was used to staying on the sidelines. The 25-year-old was not even a part of the Olympic team this year. But, it was the absence of senior players that opened doors for him in the first-team lineup. The defender made the most of the opportunity. He was already part of the Asian Champions Trophy winning team in 2018.

Singh scored two goals against Bangladesh and one against Japan in the pool stage victories. In addition, he also solidified India's backline. Jarmanpreet was one of the prime reasons why India conceded the least number of goals in the group stages. Singh definitely showed his potential as a player and he could be a major asset in the other mega tournaments.

3. Suraj Karkera

Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera had major shoes to fill. This is because he was replacing the legendary PR Sreejesh, who was rested ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy.

But, the Mumbai-born goalkeeper held his own. His tenacity and reflexes in goal was a sight to behold. He marshalled his defenders and protected the net efficiently. One of his most memorable saves in the tournament came against Pakistan during the bronze medal match, when he tipped a shot over the crossbar. Infact, he was the main reason why India conceded the least number of goals in the pool stage

Karkera showed incredible composure and effectiveness in goal. His quick thinking definitely saved the day for India on multiple occasions. The biggest achievement for Karkera was that he was declared the "Goalkeeper of the Tournament" at the Asian Champions Trophy.

2. Dilpreet Singh

Forward Dilpreet Singh was the perfect poaching partner for fellow striker Akashdeep at the Asian Champions Trophy. The two linked up to perfection and were a nightmare for their opponents. Dilpreet got five goals in the tournament. He became the third-highest scorer in the competition with that feat.

Starting off with a hat-trick against Bangladesh, he then added another two against Japan. He was the star man in India's thumping 9-0 victory over Bangladesh in the pool stages. In addition to scoring goals, he provided threat in attack and also won a lot of penalty-corners for the Men in Blue.

1. Harmanpreet Singh

Harmanpreet Singh was undoubtedly the standout Indian player at the Asian Champions Trophy. He scored eight goals in the tournament. thus becoming the highest goalscorer for India. He was also the second-highest goalscorer of the Asian Champions Trophy.

Infact, all his goals came from penalty-corners, thus proving his status as one of the best drag-flickers in the world. Every time India won a penalty-corner, it was almost a certainty that India would score a goal. He scored against every team and in every match he played in.

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