Perth: India crashedout of the title race at the Lanco International Super Series Hockey Tournament after losing 3-4 to Australia in a thrilling encounter here on Friday.
This was their second back to back defeat in the tournament after they lost 1-2 to England in the opening match on Thursday.
India drew the first blood in the match after skipper Sardar Singh well struck shot put them in the front. But they could not hang on to the lead for a long time as Bone found the equaliser for Australia soon after the conceded the lead.
With just a minute ahead of the half-time, Australia took the lead after Boyne found the nets for the second time in the match. But India soon restored the parity after Danish Mujtaba scored for India just second from the break.
Australia came out strongly after the change of ends and took the lead through Whitton. India levelled the scores once again after Gurvinder Singh Chandi sounded the cage.
Just when it looked like the match was headed for a draw Trent Mitton scored just five minutes from the final hooter to register their second straight win.
India next take on their arch-rivals Pakistan on Saturday in an inconsequential round-robin match.
By Indian Sports News Network