# MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup: Hockey Karnataka rallies to hold PNB
_Hockey Karnataka erased a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Punjab National Bank in Pool A at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium._

- Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in)
- Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/mcc-murugappa-gold-cup-hockey-karnataka-rallies-to-hold-pnb
- Author: Sapna Pandey, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/sapna-pandey)
- Published: 2026-10-24T14:56:16.873Z
- Section: Hockey
- Topics: Hockey Karnataka, Punjab National Bank, MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup, C.J. Rahul, G. Vishwas
## Summary

Hockey Karnataka came from two goals down to hold Punjab National Bank to a 2-2 draw in a Pool-A match of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Saturday.

## Key takeaways

- Neeraj scored PNB's first goal in the 14th minute.
- Gursimran Singh doubled PNB's lead with a penalty corner in the 16th minute.
- C.J. Rahul scored Karnataka's first goal in the 32nd minute after Maji Ganesh found Bhrath Mahalingappa Kurtakot.
- G. Vishwas levelled the match for Karnataka in the 52nd minute.
- Karnataka won two penalty corners in the final three minutes but failed to convert either.

## Article

Hockey Karnataka fought back from a two-goal deficit to hold Punjab National Bank (PNB) to a 2-2 draw in a Pool-A match of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup hockey tournament at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Saturday.

PNB dominated with its raids in the first half, but Karnataka showed greater purpose after the break to claw its way back into the contest.

Neeraj put PNB ahead in the 14th minute with an impressive individual effort. Winning the ball from an opponent near the left sideline, he beat and dribbled past two Karnataka players and closed in on goal before slotting the ball past goalkeeper K.K. Tharun Ganapathy. Gursimran Singh doubled PNB’s lead in the 16th minute, converting a penalty corner with a drag-flick.

Karnataka began its recovery in the 32nd minute through a well-coordinated move. Maji Ganesh found Bhrath Mahalingappa Kurtakot, who directed the ball for C.J. Rahul to finish. G. Vishwas completed Karnataka’s comeback in the 52nd minute. The side had chances to snatch victory, winning two penalty corners in the final three minutes, but failed to convert either.

PNB remains in Pool A alongside Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Railways and Indian Army. The next Pool-A fixture involves Indian Railways against Indian Army.

> PNB dominated with its raids in the first half
> — The Hindu

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### Sources

- The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/sport/hockey/mcc-murugappa-gold-cup-hockey-karnataka-rallies-to-hold-pnb/article71620282.ece
- newindianexpress.com: https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/2026/Oct/23/mcc-murugappa-gold-cup-bpcl-thrash-tn-hockey-team
- Photo: malte\_berg, Pixabay Content License (Pixabay): https://pixabay.com/photos/competition-ball-players-hockey-3304444/
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