India clinched the inaugural FIH Women's Nation's Cup title with a 1-0 win over Spain in the summit clash here on Saturday.
The win sealed India's berth in the 2023-24 Pro League. Gurjit Kaur scored the all-important goal in the sixth minute from the penalty corner as the Commonwealth Games bronze medalists ended the eight-nation tournament with five wins on the trot.
The Janneke Schopman-coached side had beaten Ireland 2-1 via shootout in the semifinals here on Friday.
India were ranked a spot below Spain (seventh) in the FIH chart.
By virtue of winning the Nations Cup, the Indian team has been promoted to the 2023-24 FIH Hockey Women's Pro League, a key event ahead of next year's Asian Games and 2024 Paris Olympics.
It was Spain who first earned an early penalty corner but Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia made an excellent save.
India earned their first penalty corner in the sixth minute and converted it to take the lead. Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur sent the ball to the left side of the Spanish goalkeeper Clara Perez and managed to beat her.
India played brilliantly at the start of the second quarter.
Lalremsiami earned a PC for the team but this time Gurjit could not manage to beat the goalkeeper with her drag-flick.
Spain soon regrouped and made several raids on the Indian circle before earning a PC at the halfway stage of the second quarter.