India vs Australia hockey series 2015: India draw with Australia

FT: An entertaining start to the series with both teams displaying world class hockey! #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/p0HhS8Y0uv
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

The first match ends with India 2-2 Australia

Good job by both teams. Australia were self-possessed in contrast to India's hustle. Each's style negated the other's and they ended on an even keel.

Australia try to enter the circle but are kept at bay by the tenacious Indian defense. The clock runs out with the scores level.

Some confusion about the calling of full time. SV Sunil went down with a cramp and the clock showed full time. The referees added 30 seconds to the clock and play continued.

Re-PC missed by Australia! The Indian fans are breathing again!

GOAL! AUS v IND | 2-2 | It's a clinical PC flick low into the bottom right from @TheBigDog_5. Ciriello does what Ciriello does.
— Kookaburras (@Kookaburras) November 19, 2015

Late goal conceded. Sound familiar? India can't seem to shake that monkey off their back

PC for Australia in the dying moments and Chris Ciriello converts!

5 minutes to go to the end of the game and the men in blue are leading the possession as well. IND 2-1 AUS. #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

Australia attacking again but they aren't able to score

Australia on the charge for the first time this quarter and a sitter for the keeper nearly turns into an own goal because of a deflection!

India dominates 3rd and 4th quarters. Gets two PCs 47th and 48th min, but Rupinder could not convert
— stick2hockey.com (@indianhockey) November 19, 2015

India miss the PC but it's a re-PC. Shot by Rupinder goes high and the scores remain untroubled

Botched play or stroke of brilliance from Akashdeep in giving up the pass for a PC?

End of Q3! India lead by another goal from the Sardar-@raghuhock combination. Will India add to the tally in the final 15 min? #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

End of the 3rd quarter and India are in front. But the hosts have to keep their cool against the world champions if they want to win

13' GOAL! Brace for @raghuhock and that's the lead for India via another PC goal! IND 2-1 AUS. #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

The effective combo of Sardar Singh and Raghunath put India in front!

PC for India and it's Raghunath again!!! India take the lead!!!

Seems like India are rushing to score and take the lead where they should take their time

India have had 2 circle penetrations in the 2nd half so far

2nd half is underway. Tremendous scenes here in Rajnandgaon, a packed house is buzzing with excitement! #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

Long cross for a shot on goal but it's missed by Talvinder

India on the attack in the opening minutes of the 2nd half

The 2nd half of the match begins

India need to tighten their defense in the 2nd half

Sardar Singh sprinting to the goal but the buzzer denies him another attempt as the 2nd quarter ends with scores level

GOOOAAL! Sardar injects the ball and @raghuhock does the rest to bring India back on level terms from a PC! IND 1-1 AUS. #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

Raghunath scores his 124th goal in his 195th match!

Sardar Singh with the PC, VR Raghunath shoots straight as an arrow between the posts. India equalize!!!

PC for India at the end of a great run by SV Sunil

Fast-paced back-and-forth action here in the 2nd quarter, but neither able to find the back of the net

Shot by Australia lobs over the Indian post as it's deflected

6' into Q2 and Harjot Singh comes up with a great save to deny Australia from scoring. IND 0-1 AUS. #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

Akashdeep Singh misses a shot off a long pass as the first quarter ends. AUS 1-0 IND.

AUS v IND | 1-0 | India PC, the first of the game, goes wide of the Aussie left post. @Kookaburras gave ball away at top D in build up to PC
— Kookaburras (@Kookaburras) November 19, 2015

The shot goes wide of the target and the Kokkaburras remain ahead

PC for India!

GOAL! Australia break the deadlock in the 9th minute through a Dylan Wotherspoon field goal! IND 0-1 AUS. #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

Dylan Wotherspoon with his 4th international goal in his 15th international appearance

Manpreet Singh botches a pass which Australia gladly take advantage of to draw first blood. 1-0 in the 9th minute.

7' India dominating possession in the early moments of the game! IND 0-0 AUS. #IndiaKaGame
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015

Excellent turnout in the new stadium, great to see the crowd pouring in for the 1st match of this 3-test bilateral series

Australia has a better record in contests since 2014, winning 7 while India has 4

The first match at the Rajnandgaon International Hockey Stadium is about to get under way

The 3-Match Test Series between India & Australia is about to begin! Tune in to Star Sports 1/HD1 now! #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/ixb8hbe2qG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 19, 2015