Indian Hockey signed off from the Hobart leg of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26 with a hard-fought victory over hosts Australia, prevailing 3–1 in the shootout after the two sides were locked at 1–1 at the end of regulation time on Tuesday.
The result ensured that India collected a crucial bonus point to conclude their campaign in Tasmania on a positive note.
Shilanand Lakra scored India’s lone goal in regulation time, cancelling out Australia captain Jeremy Hayward’s penalty corner conversion earlier in the fourth quarter. However, it was young goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar who emerged as the standout performer in the decisive shootout, producing three crucial saves to guide India to victory.
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The opening quarter witnessed a cagey start, with Australia dominating possession while India relied on disciplined defensive organisation and counter-attacking transitions to create opportunities. Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar was called into action early in the contest, making a couple of important saves to deny the hosts an early breakthrough.
India earned the first penalty corner of the match in the 11th minute, but Amandeep Lakra’s drag-flick was effectively stopped by the first rusher. Moments later, India came close to taking the lead through open play when Abhishek attempted a deflection inside the circle, only for the effort to drift narrowly wide of the target.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with both teams enjoying spells of attacking momentum but unable to convert their chances. In the 16th minute, Abhishek displayed excellent control inside the Australian circle before laying the ball off to Manmeet Singh, whose shot was saved by the Australian goalkeeper.
Australia responded by winning a penalty corner in the 25th minute, but India’s Suraj Karkera produced a sharp stick save to keep the scores level. Despite end-to-end exchanges, neither side was able to find the breakthrough as the teams headed into halftime without troubling the scoreboard.
India began the third quarter with renewed attacking intent and secured their second penalty corner in the 38th minute. Araijeet Singh Hundal’s attempt, however, was comfortably dealt with by the Australian defence. Seconds later, the young forward received a pass from Amit Rohidas but saw his deflection sail inches past the post.
Australia’s best chances of the quarter came through back-to-back penalty corners in the 42nd and 45th minutes. On the first occasion, Joel Rintala’s drag-flick struck the post as Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar made a crucial save on the line before quickly recovering to block the rebound. The Indian goalkeeper maintained his composure to deny another penalty corner soon after, ensuring that the match remained goalless heading into the final quarter.
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The deadlock was eventually broken in the 49th minute when Australia capitalised on a penalty corner, with captain Jeremy Hayward executing a clinical drag-flick to put the hosts ahead.
India responded swiftly. Just two minutes later, Hardik Singh initiated a move with a sharp pass to Abhishek on the right flank. Carrying the ball forward, Abhishek found Poovanna Chandura Boby inside the circle, who in turn squared it across the face of goal for Shilanand Lakra to calmly slot home the equaliser in the 51st minute.
With the momentum shifting in their favour, India pressed forward in search of a winner and earned a succession of penalty corners in the closing stages. Despite creating several promising opportunities, neither side was able to break the deadlock, and the contest moved into a shootout.
In the shootout, Shilanand Lakra, Maninder Singh and Vishnukant Singh converted their chances for India. Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar then delivered a composed performance under pressure, denying Australia on three occasions to seal a 3–1 shootout win and secure the bonus point for India.
India will now look to build on this performance as they prepare for the upcoming legs of the FIH Men’s Pro League season.
