Somwarpet Sunil's equalizer wins the series for India against the Black Sticks
Nick Ross provided the lead for New Zealand in the third quarter, but India replied back immediately with a goal from Somwarpet Sunil as the fourth and the final test ended 1-1. The draw provided India with a 2-1 series win in this bilateral test series.
New Zealand player Bradley Shaw received a yellow card in the 22nd minute of the game. The home side had to play the next tenĀ minutes with 10 men on the pitch, but India failed to take the advantage during that period.
Towards the end of the third quarter, Nick Ross provided the lead to the Black Sticks as he applied the finishing touches to a swift move. But India equalized couple of minutes later, through Punjab Warriors halfback, Somwarpet Sunil.
The match ended 1-1 and handed India a 2-1 win in this test series. The blues managed to repeat the feat they achieved on their last visit back in 2009. This also maintained New Zealand's inglorious record of having failed to beat an Indian team in a bilateral series since 1926.
This series has provided Roelant Oltmans and his men with the perfect preparation ahead of the upcoming Hockey World League Finals in Raipur and the Rio Olympics. India will now climb above New Zealand (ranked 7th currently) in the FIH rankings, when the standings are updated.
