~ Young goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar made crucial saves for India in the shootout ~
Hobart, February 25, 2026:After an intense 1-1 draw in regulation time, India ended their Hobart leg of the 2025-2026 FIH Men’s Pro League on a positive note, with a 3-1 shootout win against Australia to collect the bonus point. Shilanand Lakra (51′) was the scorer for India while captain Jeremy Hayward (49′) scored the goal for Australia. In the shootout, Shilanand Lakra, Maninder Singh and Vishnukant Singh successfully converted their chances, while young goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar made crucial saves for India.
The match started with an extremely exciting battle between both sides in the first quarter. While Australia dominated in possession, India were resilient in their defense and attacked well on the counter. Indian goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar made some crucial saves early on to protect his goal. India won the first penalty corner of the evening in the 11th minute, but Amandeep Lakra’s drag flick was stopped by the first rusher. Moments later, India created another big chance from the left flank, but Abhishek’s deflection towards goal went narrowly wide.
Even in the second quarter the teams could no longer be separated. In the 16th minute, Abhishek did well to control the ball inside the circle and pass it to a teammate in front of the goal, but Manmeet Singh’s attempt was saved by the Australian goalkeeper. In the 25th minute, Australia were awarded a penalty corner at the other end but Indian Suraj Karkera made a brilliant save with his stick to deny the hosts an opening goal.
India won the second penalty corner in the 38th minute but Araijeet Singh Hundal’s effort was comfortably stopped by the Australian goalkeeper. Seconds later, the young striker received another ball from behind courtesy of Amit Rohidas, but his deflection went inches off target. Australia were awarded back-to-back penalty corners in the 42nd and 45th minutes respectively. At the first opportunity, Joel Rintala’s drag flick hit the post as India’s Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar made a crucial save on the line, followed by another block on the rebound. The Indian goalkeeper continued his solid performance with another penalty corner to end the third quarter.
The scoring started in the final quarter of the match when Australia found the opening goal thanks to a penalty corner successfully converted by captain Jeremy Hayward (49′). Trailing behind, India responded quickly with a crucial equalizer in the 51st minute. Hardik Singh initiated the move with a sharp distribution to Abhishek on the right flank. Abhishek carried the ball forward and delivered a precise pass to Poovanna Chandura Boby, who in turn squared the ball perfectly for Shilanand Lakra (51′) in front of goal, who made no mistake and calmly scored a field goal to bring India back on level terms.
With the momentum firmly on their side, India pressed hard on the attack, earning a succession of penalty corners and creating a number of promising chances in the final minutes, but neither side could break the deadlock as the match descended into a shootout.
India defeated Australia 3-1 in the shootout as Shilanand Lakra, Maninder Singh and Vishnukant Singh successfully converted their chances. India’s young goalkeeper Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar denied Australia three times in the shootout to help them claim the bonus point.
All India matches of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 Hobart leg will be broadcast on Star Sports Select 2 SD+HD and JioHotstar.