India holds Australia 1-1

Playing in front a partisan crowd at the floodlit Kalinga Stadium, India by far was the better side on display and outplayed Australia in terms of ball possession. 

The Indians got off to an attacking start and scored the opening goal of the match through Mandeep Singh's field strike in the 20th minute. But it was equalised soon after when Jeremy Hayward converted a penalty corner for Australia (21st minute).

The Indians started on a bright note and played above their weight to create numerous scoring chances in the match but the forwards, especially Gurjant Singh and Akashdeep, were off colour today. India almost took the lead with the first move of the game. It was S V Sunil who started the move and set it up for an unmarked Gurjant inside the circle but the young striker's reverse was saved by an agile Tyler Lovell in front of the Australian goal.