India gave up a couple of late goals to give Australia the advantage in the three-match rubber, and now Roelant Oltmans' men will want to level the series when the two teams clash again in Raipur for the 3rd Test match on Monday.
Devender Walmiki's goal in the first half on Sunday looked like being enough for victory, especially with PR Sreejesh, India's number one goalkeeper, showing tremendous form, but a lack of discipline and Australia's unrelenting pressure, in the end, paved the way for the visitors to score two quick goals and take the match 2-1.
Having drawn the first Test 2-2, all India can now hope to do is tie the series, and build a bit more confidence ahead of the Hockey World League Finals, a tournament which they will host.
"We played a good game, but a small error in the last quarter cost us dearly," Oltmans told Hockey India's official website on Chris Ciriello and Aran Zalewski's two goals in the space of two minutes for Australia, which cost India dearly.
"We are up against the best team in the world and we only take back a lot from this match. We have been attacking well, but our defence needs some attention and hopefully [on Monday] we can put up a better show."
While India's defence can improve a fair bit, what the home team also need to do is control the game a little bit more, and not make those silly mistakes in their own half. In the first match, India constantly gave the ball away in dangerous areas, inviting Australia's attackers to drive at them at pace.
If India are to level this series, they will need to be more disciplined at the back and also with the ball, because Australia have the pace and verve to punish any mistake.
Where to Watch Live
India vs Australia 2rd Hockey Test match is scheduled for a 6.30 pm IST (12 am AEDT) start, with live coverage of the match on TV in India on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD1. The match can also be watched by live streaming online on Hotstar and Starsports online.
