India Vs Australia Highlights, FIH Pro League 2025-26: IND Hold AUS 2-2, Lose 5-4 In Shootout

Hello and welcome back to our live blog. We’re covering India vs Australia, stay tuned for all the live updates.

Fans in India can catch the Hobart leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League live on the Star Sports Network, with streaming also available on JioHotstar for those who prefer to watch online.

The national anthems are underway, setting the stage for a thrilling clash. India’s players lead the way, their anthem resonating through the stadium as they stand tall, focused and ready.

And we’re off! Australia’s players get us rolling right from the whistle, with Tim Brand taking the first touch. India’s players look sharp in their traditional blue, while Australia’s players flash their yellow kits. The crowd’s buzzing, and the tempo is already picking up.

India’s first real chance! They build it patiently to Raj Kumar on the right, who lashes a shot across the goal, but Snowden’s alert, tipping it away. India push straight into a long corner, and Raj Kumar keeps testing the defense, but Snowden is up to the task again.

It turns into a proper goalmouth scramble, sticks flying everywhere, but Australia’s players finally clear. A bright, attacking moment, India showing some early intent.

India strike first, and it’s Amit Rohidas who finds the back of the net.

The move starts with Poovanna’s sharp injection, Raj Kumar controls at the second castle, and Rohidas powers into the circle. With perfect timing and a strong long-handle hit, he hammers the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving the Australian goalkeeper with no chance. India’s players erupt, an early lead and a huge boost of confidence.

Australia win another penalty corner, and it’s Ephraums again, but Rohidas is all over him with a slick stick check in the circle. Hayden Beltz steps up to inject, and Rintala gets the strike, what a hit. The power is immense, but it just flicks wide of Mohit’s left post. India breathe a sigh of relief, but Australia are keeping the pressure on.

India are controlling the tempo brilliantly today. A high press from Hundal and Lalage traps Australia in their own corner, forcing Downey to hit the ball out of play. The Indian players are moving as a unit, closing down space, and making it tough for Australia to build any momentum. Confidence is growing with every pass.

What a moment! Australia thought they were back on level terms as Cam Geddes bursts down the left, jinks past Poovanna, and plays a pass to Willott.

The ball deflects off Jugraj’s stick and rolls past Mohit into the net. But wait, India have challenged it! The referral goes in their favor: Geddes is ruled to have obstructed Poovanna with his stick. The goal is chalked off, and India stay in the lead. Drama on the field.

India take a 1-0 lead into the break, thanks to Amit Rohidas’s early strike. Their defence has been rock-solid, transitioning quickly and keeping numbers back to stifle Australia’s chances. As the half progressed, India’s possession game improved, controlling the tempo and frustrating the Australians. A well-earned lead at the halfway mark.

Jugraj Singh doubles India’s lead with a brilliant strike.

Hardik delivers a sharp injection, Yashdeep makes the initial stop, but Jugraj is perfectly positioned to flick the ball low and hard past Snowden into the corner. India now hold a solid two-goal cushion, putting Australia under real pressure.

Australia pull one back as Rintala unleashes a thunderous strike.

The power and precision mirror Jugraj’s earlier effort, leaving Mohit with absolutely no chance. Just like that, the margin is down to one, game on, and the tension spikes.

Australia are level again as Rintala strikes twice.

This time it’s a powerful drag-flick that hits Mohit’s pads and deflects in, tough luck for India. The controversy lingers, though, as the penalty corner shouldn’t have been awarded in the first place. Australia now back on terms, and the game is wide open.

Australia earn one more penalty corner. Henderson injects, but the ball cannoned straight off Rohidas’s foot. India cling on as the clock winds down, nerves are sky-high.

India endured a punishing final quarter, absorbing relentless Australian pressure. Still, they’ve managed to bag their first Pro League points of the season. All eyes now turn to the shootout, can they grab the bonus point? We’ll find out shortly.

The shootout showdown is set.

For India, Aditya Lalage, Vishnukant Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Raj Kumar Pal, and Maninder Singh will take the attempts, with Mohit standing tall in goal.

Australia counter with Jack Welch, Tim Brand, Tom Craig, Tim Howard, and Liam Henderson ready to fire, it’s going to be a nail-biting finish.

And it’s heartbreak for India. Aditya Lalage steps up but smashes his attempt straight at Snowden, who deflects it wide. Australia take the shootout 5-4, snatching the bonus point in a tense finish.

That’s a wrap from Hobart. Stay tuned for more live blogs, we’ll be back soon. Until then, bye bye.