It’s a hat-trick day for India. Hours after women’s star striker Rani Ramphal scored three goals in the New Zealand first test for India’s victory, defender Dhananjay Mahadik came up with his own to take India to the Sunday Azlan Shah final.

Mahadik’s was the first hattrick of the tournament. It came in the 34th, 40th nd 42nd minutes. His heroism enabled India to maintain its status of defending champions to start with.

With the defeat of Egypt 7-1 India made it to the final of the Azlan Shah Cup third time in a row, another hattrick.

India came back in the second half, scoring six of its seven goals to post a fluent win over Egypt 7-1. After Korea defeated Pakistan 4-2 in a controversial match, its two star teams of Asia who will be vying for the title.

Its third Azlan final in a row for India, winning last year and getting silver in 2008.

It did not appear the Indians in the first half that India are in for a goal blitzkrieg. Stout defending by the Egyptians, coupled with lethargic penalty corner drills almost hid the impending goal reign.

It was India’s sixth penalty off which Dhananjay came up with a high flick to bemuse Mabrouk Mohamed, who was otherwise doing a great job, blocking five other penalty drills. A minute later India went for the lemon time, knowing well the logjam is broken.

Goals came in cascades in second half, a brace by Mahadik is followed by Tushar.