Late goals sink India again, lose 2-3 to Australia in Pro League
There was no end to the Indian men's hockey team's woes in the FIH Pro League as the side slumped to its fifth straight defeat, losing 3-2 to Australia despite leading the contest by two goals after Abhishek's brace, in Antwerp on Saturday (June 14, 2025).
The Indian team has already lost twice to Netherlands and Argentina in the tournament.
Over in London, the women's team fought valiantly after conceding three goals against Australia but eventually lost 3-2.
In Antwerp, India took a 2-0 lead by the 35th minute through Abhishek's (8th, 35th minutes) brace.
But the Kookaburras came out all attacking after the change of ends, scoring through Nathan Ephraums (42nd), and two penalty corner conversions by Joel Rintala (56th) and Tom Craig (60th) to secure the win.
The Indians were without skipper and ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as he has been rested due to a injury suffered in the last match against Argentina.
In the women's match Australia took a 3-0 lead through field goals from Courtney Schonell (16th minute), Lexie Pickering (26th) and penalty stroke conversion by Tatum Stewart (35th).
The Indians, however, mounted a comeback after the change of ends through two penalty corner goals from Deepika and Neha.
India enjoyed the early share of exchanges but failed to break the resolute Australian defence.
The results: Men: At Antwerp: Australia 3 (Nathan Ephraums 42, Joel Rintala 56, Tom Craig 60) bt India 2 (Abhishek 8, 35).
Women: At London: Australia 3 (Courtney Schonell 16, Lexie Pickering 26, Tatum Stewart 35) bt India 2 (Deepika 44, Neha 52).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
5 minutes ago
- News18
Which 3 Tests Will Bumrah Play Vs England? Shubman Gill Says: 'We Don't...'
Last Updated: Indian Test captain Shubman Gill stated that Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the upcoming Tendulkar-Anderson trophy will be decided match-by-match basis. Indian Test captain Shubman Gill has said the team doesn't want to pre-determine which of the five Tests Jasprit Bumrah would be able to play in the upcoming Tendulkar-Anderson trophy in England. Instead, he argued, the team would look at his workload on a match-to-match basis and decide accordingly. Before India left for England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had announced that one of the reasons Gill got the Test captaincy over the more-established Bumrah because the latter won't play all five Tests due to fitness concerns. India are carrying a big group of pacers, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, but none is as proven as Bumrah, making the latter's rotation crucial and decisive. 'Depending on how we go about matches, you know, there might be rain in one of the matches," Gill told Sky Sports ' Dinesh Karthik in an interview. 'So I think it's more based on match to match, and see how much workload there has been on him. And that's what you're trying to look at. You see how much workload he has had in this match. We don't want to have a predetermined set: 'Okay, these are the matches that he would want to play.' Because there are, there are so many factors that can go or not go in your favor, that can determine whether he is going to play the next match or not," he added. Bumrah picked up a back injury at the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. If he misses some games in England, the responsibility to lead the attack would come down to the next-in-line, Siraj. 'With Siraj, we made our test debut together," Gill said. 'We almost made our one-day debut together. He made one match prior to mine, and we played so many matches of India together. So, having that bond with him and knowing what he's capable of, and like I said, keeping a secure environment and making the player feel secure in his abilities and his capabilities, I feel, is one of the most important things that a leader has to do. And having these kinds of relationships, I think, helps a lot," he added. First Published: June 15, 2025, 14:56 IST
Hans India
10 minutes ago
- Hans India
Taylor urges Australian selectors to recall Konstas for West Indies tour
Former Australia Test captain Mark Taylor has urged selectors to recall teenaged opener Sam Konstas for the upcoming series against the West Indies, starting on June 26. The development comes after Australia's new top order failed to fire in the World Test Championship Final against South Africa and lost by five wickets at Lord's. Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green couldn't make substantial contributions, and with head coach Andrew McDonald hinting that a top-order reshuffle is on cards, especially with Steve Smith suffering a dislocated little finger, a return for Konstas is imminent. "David Warner retired nearly two years ago now and we haven't really found a replacement for him. Although, they really haven't tried that hard either, to be totally honest with you. Travis Head moved up the order (in Sri Lanka), Konstas was left out having debuted at Melbourne with that swashbuckling 60 that he made. "I think going to the West Indies, we've got to bring Konstas back in and I think he will play in a more orthodox fashion. He should be given an opportunity and the fact that Steve Smith won't play in that series makes it a little bit easier for the selectors," said Taylor on Nine's Wide World of Sports show on Sunday. Konstas made 113 in his first two Tests against India, averaging 28.25 and enthralling everyone with a rollicking 60 off 65 balls on debut in the Boxing Day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. But with Travis Head promoted to open the batting on the Sri Lanka tour, Konstas didn't get a chance and was sent back home. Taylor also believes that with Khawaja at the fag end of his playing career, a change of the guard in the Australian top-order is coming soon. "The other problem that Australia has is Usman Khawaja at the top of the order - he's not playing the quicks as well as I'd like him to be playing them." "The last couple of years he has averaged 34, but if you take out the 200 he made in Sri Lanka on a low and slow pitch, he's averaged 25. We've got a problem with Marnus and obviously Uzzy at the top of the order, so we need to sort that out,' added Taylor. He signed off by saying Australia has to get things right before the Ashes takes centrestage. "England will bring a very good quick bowling side and we've got to get that right. We've definitely got to get Konstas in, we've got to give him the opportunity." "He will open the batting with Usman Khawaja - he's on notice too in my side, because people like (Nathan) McSweeney have got to get another opportunity at some stage. It's always a hard one when you get players towards the end of their careers. You want to see these guys finish on their terms, but you're in a national sporting team and you have got to pick your best side for today and also for the future."
Mint
12 minutes ago
- Mint
DPL expansion on the cards, says DDCA director Shyam Sunder
New Delhi, Jun 15 (PTI) The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is planning to increase the number of teams in the second edition of the Delhi Premier League T20 tournament to eight, said its director Shyam Sunder Sharma. The inaugural edition of the DPL was held last year with six teams, representing different zones in Delhi, competing in the franchise-based tournament. "We are thinking of increasing facilities in DPL... there are talks of increasing the teams as well (from six to eight)," Sharma told PTI Videos, highlighting DDCA's plan to expand the tournament. "The new DPL season will begin in the first or second week of August," he added. Sharma said that DDCA was happy that a large number of players who competed in DPL last year had gone on to play in the Indian Premier League this year. "A total of 14 cricketers (who competed in) DPL played in the IPL... players like Digvesh Rathi, Ayush Badoni and Priyansh Arya, among others," he said, adding that there were plans to give a boost to women's cricket as well. DDCA recently kicked off a women's T20 tournament in which 41 affiliated club are taking part. Sharma said DDCA planned to add two more women's teams by next year. "Our apex council is giving special focus to women's cricket. If any (affiliated) club fields its women's team, it will be given ₹ one lakh as subsidy and if they build their ground, then they will be give ₹ 2.5 lakhs." Sharma said that the Arun Jaitley Stadium had undergone significant renovations and changes resulting in improved facilities for the players and spectators. "We got a bad name sometimes when lights went off or the pitch wasn't in good condition. So, we renovated the stadium to provide better facilities. It was a proud moment for our apex council when we were given the 'Best Pitch Award in IPL', which is a big achievement," he added. With the BCCI shifting the venue for the three-match women's ODI series between India and Australia in September-October from Chennai to Delhi and Mullanpur, Sharma said DDCA was committed to providing the best facilities to the players. The matches were moved to Delhi and Mullanpur as the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai is undergoing a revamp of the outfield and pitches. "We will provide the best facilities (for the women's ODI here). We will have a lot of facilities to generate spectator interest. We have a good curator staff and everything is ready for Australia series," said Sharma. The DDCA is also planning to send players for umpiring courses to further nurture cricketing talent. "We want to send a few players from DDCA for umpiring courses." he said.
