Bhubaneswar: Indian men’s hockey team played a 1-1 draw against Japan in the opening match of the four-match Test series that began in Bhubneshwar on Sunday.

After playing a goalles draw in the first half, Japan took the lead through Kurogawa Daichi in the 19th minute. For India, drag-flicker V R Raghunath converted a penalty corner in the 44th minute to make it 1-1 for the hosts.

India got another corner in the 52nd minute but Raghunath failed to convert it this time around and the scoreline stayed 1-1 in the remaining minutes of play.

Birendra Lakra and Kothajit Singh completed 100 international appearances.