Kanika Siwach Continues Impressive Australian Stint, Scores Second Goal in Three Matches for Mentone HC

India's rising hockey star Kanika Siwach continued her impressive start to life in Australia after scoring her second goal of the season for Mentone Hockey Club in the Victorian Women's Premier League (WPL).

The Indian Under-21 forward found the back of the net during Mentone HC's 2-2 draw against Hawthorn Hockey Club, taking her tally to two goals in just three appearances in one of Australia's most competitive domestic hockey competitions.

For the 20-year-old forward, the strong start is another indication of her growing reputation as one of India's most exciting young attacking talents. Having already established herself in the junior national setup, Siwach is now proving that she can adapt and perform in overseas leagues known for their physicality and fast-paced style of play.

Moving from Indian domestic hockey to Australia's Victorian Women's Premier League is not always an easy transition. Australian hockey is known for its high intensity, aggressive pressing and quick transitions. Players are often required to make decisions faster while operating under greater physical pressure than they experience in many domestic competitions.

However, Siwach has adjusted remarkably well.

Her first goal for Mentone HC came during a Round 7 clash against Waverley Hockey Club on May 23. Despite entering the match as a substitute, she showcased excellent positional awareness to score in the 66th minute and register her maiden goal in the competition. Although Mentone eventually lost 4-2, Siwach's performance provided an early glimpse of her attacking potential. After a productive outing against Melbourne Cricket Club in Round 8, where she contributed through her movement and pressing despite not scoring, the Indian forward took another step forward in Round 9 against Hawthorn.

Against Hawthorn Hockey Club, Siwach was handed a place in the starting lineup, reflecting the growing trust being placed in her by the Mentone coaching staff. The match was played under challenging conditions with light rain and a slick playing surface, demanding quick decision-making and technical precision. Hawthorn opened the scoring through Mihaylia Howell in the ninth minute, putting Mentone under early pressure.

Siwach responded in style. The Indian striker scored the equaliser in the 27th minute, finding space inside the attacking circle before finishing clinically to beat the goalkeeper. It was a goal that highlighted her sharp movement, anticipation and composure in front of goal.

The match eventually ended 2-2 after both teams traded goals in the second half, but Siwach's contribution once again stood out as a key talking point.

With two goals from her first three league appearances, she has quickly established herself as an important member of Mentone's attacking unit.

Following a Strong Junior Career

Siwach's performances in Australia are the latest chapter in an already impressive hockey journey. Born in Sonipat, Haryana, she comes from one of India's most respected hockey families. Her mother, Pritam Rani Siwach, is a former captain of the Indian women's hockey team and one of the most influential figures in Indian hockey development. Growing up under her guidance helped shape Kanika's understanding of the game from an early age.

Over the last few years, the forward has become a regular goal scorer for India's junior women's team.

She starred at the Junior Asia Cup in Muscat in 2024, scoring eight goals in six matches and playing a crucial role in India's title-winning campaign. Her performances included two hat-tricks and an important equaliser in the final against China.

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She also impressed during India's Four Nations Tournament campaign in Argentina and delivered standout performances against Australia Under-21 and at the FIH Junior Women's World Cup in Chile, where she scored a hat-trick against Namibia.

One of the primary objectives behind young Indian players competing abroad is to accelerate their development before transitioning fully into the senior national team. For Siwach, the Victorian Women's Premier League offers exactly that environment. The competition exposes her to different tactical systems, stronger defensive structures and higher physical demands. These experiences can prove invaluable when facing top international opposition in future tournaments.

Her performances also validate Hockey India's growing strategy of encouraging talented youngsters to gain overseas club experience during the domestic off-season.

Already selected in India's senior women's setup during the 2024-25 FIH Pro League cycle, Siwach is widely viewed as a player capable of becoming a long-term fixture in the national team.

At just 20 years of age, Kanika Siwach remains at the beginning of what many believe could be a long and successful international career. Her early performances for Mentone HC suggest she is adapting quickly to the demands of overseas hockey and continuing the goal-scoring form that made her one of India's standout junior players.

With two goals in three matches and increasing responsibility within the team, the Haryana forward is making the most of her Australian opportunity.

If her current trajectory continues, Indian hockey may soon see Siwach transition from a promising junior star into a regular contributor at the senior international level. For now, her strong start in the Victorian Women's Premier League is yet another encouraging sign for the future of Indian women's hockey.