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Harmanpreet Singh-led India finally ended their losing streak against Australia with a thrilling 4-3 win in the ongoing five-match Test series win on November 30. With Akashdeep Singh's late winner, India kept the Test series alive after two consecutive losses of 4-5 and 4-7. India had lost 12 games against Australia before ending up on the right side of the scoreline. India's last win against Australia came in 2016.
In the first quarter it was Manpreet Singh who opened the scoring for India. India earned the penalty corner and Manpreet found the back of the net in the 12th minute. India retained their lead in the next 12 minutes. Jack Welch scored the equaliser off the penalty corner in the 25th minute. Early into the third quarter, Australia took the lead as Aran Zalewski scored via a penalty corner in the 32nd minute.
After the first quarter, India could not score in the next two. India earned a penalty corner two minutes into the last quarter and Abhishek fired the equaliser.
The last five minutes of the game were very eventful. First, Shamsher Singh's goal via a penalty corner helped India take the lead in the 57th minute. Australians were quick to retaliate as well and Nathan Ephraums fired the last equaliser of the game in the 59th minute.
With barely enough time left on the clock, Akashdeep came to India's rescue and scored the only field goal of the match. The late winner sealed the win for India. It was Mandeep who played the ball to Hardik from center-circle. Hardik then passed the ball back to Mandeep, a long ball. Mandeep found Akashdeep in a scoring position and the latter did not disappoint.
The game also ended on a bitter note as Australian coach Colin Batch looked baffled as he called goalkeeper PR Sreejesh's defending a "vicious act" which left Blake Glover injured. Sreejesh was also adjudged ‘Player of the match’ for his saves in the historic win.
India will now take on Australia on December 3 and December 4.
