Birmingham

The Indian men's hockey team launched its campaign for an elusive gold medal at the Commonwealth Games by thrashing minnows Ghana 11-0 on Sunday.

Drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh struck three goals, Jugraj Singh struck a brace, while Abhishek, Shamsher Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Varun Kumar and Mandeep Singh scored a goal apiece as India romped to a big win in their opening Pool B encounter.

India scored three goals in the first quarter and two in the second as they raced to a 5-0 lead at half-time.

They added four goals in a productive third quarter before sealing the win with two more goals in the fourth and final quarter.

India is ranked fifth in the world while Ghana, playing in the Commonwealth Games for the first time, are 36^th.

India next take on England on Monday.

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The Manpreet Singh-led side must win that match to maintain their chances of topping the group and avoid running into top seed Australia in the semifinals.