India U18 men's hockey team draw 3-3 with Australia in series finale
Synopsis
India's U18 men ended a four-match home hockey series against Australia with a last-gasp 3-3 draw in Bhopal — Andrew Faulds equalising in the 57th minute to deny the hosts a winning finish. Captain Ketan Kushwaha scored in both the Monday 6-3 win and Wednesday's draw, standing out as the series' most consistent Indian performer.
Key Takeaways
India U18 men drew 3-3 with Australia U18 in the series finale at Bhopal on 20 May .
India finished the four-match series with one win, two draws, and one loss .
Karan Gautam (10') and Ben Siddharth (14') gave India an early lead; Jet Johnstone levelled with a brace for Australia.
Captain Ketan Kushwaha (40') restored India's lead before Andrew Faulds (57') equalised for Australia.
The India U18 Women's team beat Australia 4-1 in their own series finale on the same day.
The India U18 men's hockey team ended their four-match series against Australia U18 with a 3-3 draw at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday, 20 May. The result means India concluded the series with one win, two draws, and one loss.
How the Match Unfolded
Karan Gautam put India ahead in the 10th minute by converting a penalty corner, and Ben Siddharth doubled the advantage with a field goal in the 14th minute. India's bright start threatened to run away with the contest, but Australia responded emphatically in the second quarter.
Jet Johnstone scored a crucial brace — in the 18th and 25th minutes — to pull Australia level by halftime. The third quarter remained tightly contested before India captain Ketan Kushwaha restored the lead with a field goal in the 40th minute.
With the clock running down, Andrew Faulds struck a field goal in the 57th minute — just three minutes from the final whistle — to earn Australia a share of the spoils and seal the 3-3 draw.
Series Summary
India's campaign across the four matches was a study in contrasts. Their lone series win came on Monday, when the U18 men dismantled Australia 6-3 to level the standings at 1-1 heading into the final fixture. In that match, Akash Deep (10') and Shahrukh Ali (14') gave India a first-quarter lead, before Ketan Kushwaha (25') and Romit Pal (26') extended the advantage in the second quarter. Kushwaha (40') and Ansh Bahutra (45') completed the rout, while Australia's replies came from Owen Taylor (23'), Oscar Freeman (29'), and Jack Weller (32').
Women's Team Dominates in Parallel Fixture
Earlier on 20 May, the India U18 Women's Hockey Team produced a commanding performance to beat the Australia U18 Women's Team 4-1 in the fourth and final match of their own series, underlining the depth of India's junior hockey pipeline across both genders.
What This Means for Indian Junior Hockey
The series at Bhopal's SAI Centre provided valuable competitive exposure for India's next generation of hockey talent ahead of future international youth competitions. Notably, captain Ketan Kushwaha emerged as a standout performer, scoring in both the Monday win and the Wednesday draw. The mixed series result — a win, two draws, and a loss — reflects a closely matched contest and will give both coaching staff and selectors clear areas to work on.
Point of View
Including a concession in the 57th minute that will sting. The series record of one win, two draws, one loss against Australian juniors at home is a realistic barometer: India can compete, but the defensive discipline to close out matches is still a work in progress. Captain Kushwaha's consistency with the ball is a bright spot; the inability to protect leads is the coaching staff's clearest homework before the next international cycle.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs Australia U18 men's hockey series finale?
The India U18 men's hockey team drew 3-3 with Australia U18 in the final match of their four-match series, played at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal on 20 May. India twice led but Australia equalised both times, with Andrew Faulds scoring the final goal in the 57th minute.
How did India finish the four-match U18 hockey series against Australia?
India ended the series with one win, two draws, and one loss. Their only outright win came on Monday when they beat Australia 6-3.
Who were India's scorers in the 3-3 draw on 20 May?
Karan Gautam (10th minute, penalty corner), Ben Siddharth (14th minute, field goal), and captain Ketan Kushwaha (40th minute, field goal) scored for India in the series finale.
How did the India U18 Women's hockey team perform on 20 May?
The India U18 Women's Hockey Team won their series finale 4-1 against Australia U18 on the same day, completing a dominant display in Bhopal.
Where was the India-Australia U18 hockey series played?
The series was held at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
