India hockey team stun Australia in shootout to register first FIH Pro League win

The Indian men’s hockey team ended a prolonged losing streak in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 , upstaging world No. 3 Australia 3-1 in a shootout after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time at the Tasmania Hockey Centre on Wednesday.

It was a closely contested encounter through the first three quarters, which remained goalless, but the final-quarter drama lifted India’s spirits. Australia broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when captain Jeremy Hayward converted a penalty corner. India responded swiftly two minutes later, with Shilanand Lakra slotting a precise field goal following a well-coordinated attack involving Hardik Singh , Abhishek, and Poovanna Chandura Boby .

With neither team able to score again in regulation, the match went to a shootout. India emerged victorious, with Lakra , Maninder Singh , and Vishnukant Singh converting their chances. Young goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar was the hero of the shootout, denying Australia three times and helping India claim the bonus point. Australia’s lone shootout goal came from Hayward.

The game began with a tight first quarter, as Australia dominated possession but India remained resilient on the counter. Mohith made several crucial early saves. India earned their first penalty corner in the 11th minute, but Amandeep Lakra ’s drag-flick was blocked by the first rusher. Abhishek then came close with a deflected attempt from the left flank, which went narrowly wide.

The second quarter mirrored the first, with both teams creating chances but failing to score. Abhishek and Manmeet Singh combined well in the 16th minute, but Australia’s goalkeeper denied the effort. India’s Suraj Karkera made a brilliant save off a penalty corner at the 25th minute. Further opportunities for India in the 38th minute were stopped by the Australian keeper, and Joel Rintala’s drag-flick struck the post in the 42nd minute. Mohith’s heroics, including multiple penalty corner saves, kept India in the game.

After a challenging Rourkela leg where India lost all four matches, the team had made a slow start to the Hobart leg, losing narrowly to Spain and Australia in previous games. Wednesday’s shootout win marks India’s first points of the season and a morale-boosting end to the Hobart leg.

Currently placed eighth in the nine-team league with four points from eight matches, India will resume their FIH Pro League campaign in June. Their upcoming fixtures in the Rotterdam leg include matches against the Netherlands and Germany , starting with the hosts on June 21.