Frailities are sometimes like second skin; and just when it seemed that an Indian team would slowly tighten the screws on a slightly under-cooked Aussie side, India misfired but eventually clinched a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the Hockey World League Finals in a packed Kalinga Stadium. Indian hockey has been for long exposed to the brutal realities of the higher levels of world hockey. But today when the team would go back and rewind the match, it would be painfully evident that a chance was thrown away.

India and Austrailian players greet each other after 1-1 draw at the Men's Hockey World League Final 2017 in Bhubaneswar. Pic/AFP