Overview
- The India U18 men's final match finished 3-3 in Bhopal on Wednesday, leaving the four-match exposure series level with each side securing one win.
- India opened the match with early goals from Karan Gautam (10') and Ben Siddharth (14') before Jet Johnstone scored twice for Australia (18', 25') and Ketan Kushwaha put India ahead (40') only for Andrew Faulds to equalise late (57').
- Hockey India summarised the men's results as one win, two draws and one loss for India, with an earlier 6-3 Indian win during the week having helped level the series prior to the finale.
- The India U18 women's team capped the programme with a 4-1 victory over Australia, powered by Sweety Kujur, Diya, Priyanka Minz and 15-year-old Nausheen Naz, who emerged as a tournament highlight.
- Staged by Hockey India and the Sports Authority of India in Bhopal, the exposure series gave selectors a chance to judge temperament, attacking intent and depth in the junior pipeline and could shape squad picks for future international assignments.