India vs Australia hockey Series: Indian team showing distinct improvement
India may well have been leading in the three Test series against world champions Australia but a late goal in the first Test and a sloppy final quarter performance in the second Test effectively meant that the national team couldn’t do a repeat of November 2014 when they beat Australia 3-1 in a four match series in Perth.
The final outcome may not have tilted in India’s favour but make no mistake – the national team is indeed playing like a top-six side, pushing the world number one side hard. There are many times when India have controlled possession calmly without getting overawed by the superior reputation of their opponents.
In fact, both teams appeared even stevens on most occasions. The Aussies are known to play hard and the old ways of Indians easily giving away possession and indulging in wrong passing when hustled out of their stride by the Kookaburras, were conspicuously missing – definitely a good augury for the future.
India seems to have a structure in place for the Aussies. “What I liked about this Indian team is how they have a defensive structure in place. The defence has stood out although a few mistakes cost us a few goals but overall, I’m pleased with our defence’s performance,” says former Indian captain Jagbir Singh.
The team have shown that it has learnt not to be affected by the early goal syndrome. The way they clawed their way back after conceding a first quarter goal and then not equalizing but also taking the lead until the closing stages when the Aussies leveled things indicates that the team is armed with plenty of self-belief.
“I think the Indians have played quite well against the Aussies. Guys like Jasjit Singh and Devinder Walmiki have shown rapid improvement over the past few months. The only thing is we should be wary about is when the Australians presses hard and that’s when we tend to commit errors. Overall, pretty chuffed with our performance,” says former Indian midfielder Viren Rasquinha.
The Roelant Oltmans-coached side in indeed exuding rapid improvement and can only get better.