Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s heroics went in useless as India squandered a purpose lead to go down 1-2 against Australia within the third males’s hockey Test to hand the house crew an unassailable 3-0 lead within the five-match collection right here on Wednesday.
The Indians, who misplaced 1-5 and 2-4 within the first two Tests, produced a much-better present on Wednesday with the defensive unit main from the entrance.
It was a basic battle between the ever-attacking Australians against the Indian defence, which the latter narrowly misplaced finally.
India took the lead via Jugraj Singh’s penalty nook conversion within the forty first minute, however Jeremy Hayward (forty fourth and forty ninth) dashed the guests’ hopes by scoring a brace to hand Australia their third win on the trot.
India performed cohesively and with much more depth to frustrate the Kookaburras, who secured as many as six penalty corners within the opening quarter however failed to get previous the resolute defence of the guests.
Credit should go to each Indian goalkeepers — Sreejesh and Krishan Bahadur Pathak — for his or her sensible show within the first half.
It was the hosts who had the primary scoring probability within the type of a penalty nook within the fourth minute however Sreejesh made a stunning low diving save to his proper to hold out Hayward’s shot.
Five minutes later, Australia secured three extra penalty corners however they failed to get previous the ‘The Great Indian Wall’ in Sreejesh.
The Indians moved the ball nicely they usually too earned a penalty nook however skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s effort was saved by the Australian goalie.
Australia earned two extra set items within the first quarter however the Indian defence stood tall.
Australia modified the tempo of the sport within the second quarter and performed fast-paced, attacking hockey to put stress on the Indian defence, which produced a rock stable efficiency.
After Sreejesh, it was Pathak’s flip to present his heroics. He first denied Australia skipper Aran Zalewski with a save off his chest after which got here out of his line to hold out Tim Brand.
Australia continued to play high-press after the change of ends and secured one other set piece quickly however Joel Rintala’s flick was astray.
India took the lead against the run of play from their second penalty nook via Jugraj’s lightening flick.
Jolted by the purpose, Australia launched fierce assaults and secured two extra penalty corners however they could not beat Sreejesh, who was magnificent below the bar, pulling off saves after saves.
A uncommon defensive lapse from Amit Rohidas lastly helped Australia to bounce again.
Rohidas miss-trapped a ball contained in the circle and conceded a penalty stroke for blocking an Australian striker. Hayward stepped up to rating Australia’s equaliser.
The Australians secured two extra penalty corners within the last quarter and from the second probability, Hayward lastly broke Sreejesh’s defence with a robust flick.
Eight minutes from the hooter, Lalit Upadhayay’s highly effective hit from the highest of the circle was saved out by the Australian goalkeeper.
Australia then secured their twelfth penalty nook however failed to enhance their lead from the possibility.
India pulled out Sreejesh with two minutes left within the match for an additional discipline participant, however the transfer did not yield consequence.
The fourth Test of the collection shall be performed right here on Friday.
