India U18 men thrash Australia 6-3 to level series; women fall 2-1 in Bhopal
Synopsis
India's U18 men turned the series on its head with a six-goal demolition of Australia in Bhopal, levelling the contest at 1-1 with one match to play. The women's side fought back from a goal down to equalise, only to concede again and fall 2-1. Wednesday's deciders at the same venue will settle both series.
Key Takeaways
India U18 men beat Australia 6-3 on 18 May at the SAI Centre, Bhopal to level the four-match series 1-1 .
Ketan Kushwaha scored a brace ( 25' , 40' ); Akash Deep , Shahrukh Ali , Romit Pal , and Ansh Bahutra also got on the scoresheet.
India U18 women lost 2-1 despite Sandeepa Kumari's equaliser in the 15th minute ; Stella Bartholomeusz scored the Australian winner in the 17th minute .
The men's series opened with a 2-2 draw before Australia won Match 2 3-1 ; Monday's result levels it ahead of Wednesday's decider.
Both teams play their fourth and final matches on Wednesday at the same Bhopal venue.
India's U18 men's hockey team delivered a commanding 6-3 victory over Australia U18 at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Monday, 18 May, levelling their four-match series at 1-1. On the same evening, the India U18 women's team fought back from a deficit but ultimately fell 2-1 to the visitors, slipping further behind in their own series.
Men's Match: India Dominate from the First Whistle
India seized control early, with Akash Deep opening the scoring in the 10th minute and Shahrukh Ali doubling the advantage just four minutes later in the 14th minute. The second quarter brought further momentum as Ketan Kushwaha (25') and Romit Pal (26') netted in quick succession to put India firmly in command.
Australia attempted a fightback through Owen Taylor (23'), Oscar Freeman (29'), and Jack Weller (32'), but the Indian defence refused to buckle. Kushwaha completed a brace in the 40th minute, and Ansh Bahutra added the sixth in the 45th minute. The final quarter saw India protect their lead without conceding, sealing a dominant win.
Women's Match: Late Equaliser Not Enough
The India U18 women found themselves behind as early as the 5th minute, when Anneliese Cullen put Australia ahead. Sandeepa Kumari restored parity with a fine finish in the 15th minute, sending the first quarter into a 1-1 tie. However, Stella Bartholomeusz restored Australia's lead in the 17th minute, and despite a resolute defensive display in the second half, India could not find the equaliser.
Series Context and What Came Before
The men's series had opened with a 2-2 draw, before Australia took a 1-0 lead with a 3-1 win on Sunday — a match in which Arjun Brian scored first for Australia before Ashish Tani Purti briefly equalised. Monday's six-goal showing has now reset the men's contest heading into the final match.
Both the men's and women's teams are scheduled to play their fourth and final matches of the series on Wednesday at the same Bhopal venue, with the men's series poised at 1-1 and the women's series outcome still to be confirmed.
What's Next
Wednesday's deciders will test the depth of India's junior pipeline ahead of future international age-group tournaments. The men's performance in particular — six goals against an Australian side — signals a sharp attacking unit capable of rising to the occasion when it counts.
Point of View
And Monday's performance by the U18 men deserves more than a series-levelling footnote. The attacking combination clicked across three quarters, and crucially, the defence held firm when Australia mounted their third-quarter push. The women's match tells a different story: India equalised and then conceded within two minutes, a pattern of defensive fragility in transition that coaching staff will need to address before Wednesday. With both series on the line in a single day, the Bhopal double-header on Wednesday is a genuine indicator of where Indian junior hockey stands against one of the world's most consistent developmental programmes.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India U18 men's hockey match against Australia on 18 May?
India U18 men defeated Australia 6-3 at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal on 18 May, levelling their four-match series at 1-1. Ketan Kushwaha scored a brace, with further goals from Akash Deep, Shahrukh Ali, Romit Pal, and Ansh Bahutra.
How did the India U18 women's hockey team perform on 18 May?
The India U18 women lost 2-1 to Australia. Sandeepa Kumari equalised in the 15th minute after Anneliese Cullen's early opener, but Stella Bartholomeusz restored Australia's lead in the 17th minute and India could not find a second goal.
Where is the India-Australia U18 hockey series being played?
All matches in both the men's and women's series are being played at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
When is the final match of the India-Australia U18 hockey series?
Both the men's and women's fourth and final matches are scheduled for Wednesday at the same Bhopal venue. The men's series is level at 1-1 heading into the decider.
What was the series standing before the 18 May matches?
In the men's series, the opening game ended in a 2-2 draw, and Australia won the second match 3-1 to lead 1-0. Monday's 6-3 win for India levels the series. The women's series result before 18 May was not detailed in the available match reports.
