Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s brace went in vain as India lost 4-5 to Australia in the final game to hand the five-Test hockey series 1-4 to the world no.1 side in Adelaide on Sunday. Tom Wickham (2nd, 17th) scored two goals for Australia while Aran Zalewski (30th), Jacob Anderson (40th), and Jake Whetton (54th) were the other goal-getters for the home team. Harmanpreet (24th, 60th) converted two penalty corners for India while Amit Rohidas (34th) and Sukhjeet Singh (55th) also found the opposition net.
India had lost 4-5 and 4-7 in the first two Tests before winning the next match 4-3 They lost the fourth game 1-5.
Australia was by far the better side on display as they controlled the proceedings in the opening two quarters.
India, on the other hand, was slow to get off the blocks and looked tentative.
Australia wasted no time in punishing India with Wickham scoring from the top of the circle with a fierce strike as early as in the second minute.
The Indians failed to put pressure on the Australian defence and hardly created any chances in the opening quarter.
Australia doubled their lead in the 17th minute and again it was Wickham.
Lachlan Sharp stole the ball in the midfield and went past a few Indian defenders to set it up for Wickham, who slotted home from a one-on-one situation with India custodian PR Sreejesh.
India managed to pull one back in the 24th minute when Harmanpreet converted a well-executed penalty corner.
Australia soon earned two consecutive penalty corners but India reserve goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak made a good save to deny Jeremy Hayward.
Read more: https://sports.ndtv.com/hockey/india-go-down-4-5-to-australia-in-fifth-hockey-test-lose-series-1-4-3576879
