India beats Australia in third hockey test, First win in over a decade

India has defeated world number one Australia 4-3 in the third hockey test and bagged its first win in 13 years.

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh (12th minute), Abhishek (47th), Shamsher Singh (57th), and Akashdeep Singh (60th) scored for India. Jack Welch (25th), skipper Aran Zalewski (32nd), and Nathan Ephraums (59th) scored for Australia.

Both teams were off to a careful start and kept their defence intact. Australia took a chance in the 7th minute but Krishan Bahadur Pathak prevented the goal. In the 12th minute, India took the lead from a penalty corner. Harmanpreet played off placeman rather than power and sent the ball to the right of Australian goalkeeper Johan Durst.

Another goal attempt by Sukhjeet Singh was stopped. In the 20th minute, veteran India custodian P R Sreejesh denied Australia another goal. He made a triple save from a penalty corner a few minutes later. Australia drew level in the 25th minute. Indian earned an early penalty corner in the fourth and final quarter. In the 52nd minute, India secured a penalty but could not score. In the final few minutes, Australia earned a penalty but did not utilise it. Two minutes later, Akashdeep scored after being fed by a selfless Mandeep Singh and led India to victory.

In the ongoing five-match series, Australia is leading 2-1. India lost 4-5 and 3-7 in the first two tests. The recent win has kept the series alive. The fourth and fifth matches are to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Earlier this year, Australia had beaten India 7-0 in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games final.