In a tense and frustrating FIH Pro League match on Thursday, the Indian men's national ice hockey team lost to Australia 4-6. It was a topsy-turvy match, with India conceding two goals early on and then scoring four goals. However, Australia came back into the match with four goals and won the match.

In the first minute, Blake Govers scored from a penalty corner but Krishan Pathak should have stopped it. A minute later, after a long ball, Govers doubled Australia's lead with a brilliant and powerful strike. With three minutes to go, the tall striker made another slow move towards goal, but Pathak made a superb save, diving to his right.

India started sequencing their deliveries after the initial shock. Sumit intercepted a ball in the air before being lofted for a penalty corner which was converted by a powerful dragflick from captain Harmanpreet Singh. They equalized after a smart strike from Sukhjeet Singh past Andrew Charter.

Harmanpreet's dragflick, which bounced off the first striker and through Charter's legs, proved to be a good omen. The fourth goal of the match scored by Harmanpreet was the best goal of the evening. He played a powerful pass from the halfway line to Mandeep Singh in the circle. After a sudden turn, he delivered a strong finish, too intense for Charter.

After the break, Australia regained control of the match. Aren Zalewski, Lachlan Sharp, Jacob Anderson and Jake Harvie scored early on to give Australia the lead.

India will next face Ireland in the Pro League at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday evening.