BENGALURU: The Indian senior men's football team began their SAFF Championship title defence in style by defeating Pakistan 4-0 in Group A match after Sunil Chhetri scored an impressive hattrick here on Wednesday.

Chhetri scored an early brace before adding another after the break for his fourth international hat-trick, thereby taking his tally to 90 goals. Substitute Udanta Singh then finished the job with the fourth goal late on to sum up a memorable night for the Blue Tigers on their return to Bengaluru after almost six years.

India are top of the Group A standings on goal difference after matchday 1.This was India's one of biggest victories against Pakistan.