Harmanpreet hat-trick helps keep Aussies at bay

ERROL D’CRUZ



For the second time in successive matches, India led by three goals but endured nerve-wracking closing minutes to finish winners by the slenderest of margins. On Sunday in front of a packed Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, the hosts, riding on a hat-trick by captain Harmanpreet Singh, warded off a late Australian challenge to win 5-4 after sitting pretty 4-1 at half-time in the FIH Pro League encounter.