Daljit Singh and Gagan Ajit Singh were the other scorers for India while penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas, who also scored two goals, and Shabbir Muhuammed struck for Pakistan.

The match, which was locked 2-2 at half-time, was not without the drama that characterises every India-Pakistan encounter with some supporters throwing plastic bottles even as the Indians hugged each other in sheer joy.

The tension, which had started to build up even before the national anthems of both countries were played, saw Australian referee Murray Grime give marching orders to Pakistan’s Muhammad Naeem. Besides Naeem, five others were slapped with yellow cards. But India did not let the pressure affect them or so it seemed as they played like men possessed and showed no weaknesses in their game.

Pillay, the fulcrum of the Indian attack in all their major victories in the recent past, once again masterminded the strike force and midfield and never hesitated to fall back and help the defenders.

Playing as a withdrawn forward, it was Pillay who got the breakthrough for India in the sixth minute. A free hit from the left by Jugraj Singh went past a few defenders and Pillay, on the run, flicked the ball home.

But Pakistan restored parity in the 10th minute when Viren Rasquinha’s hard tackle on Nadeem Muhammad resulted in a penalty corner for Pakistan. Sohail Abbas unleashed a vicious drag flick which beat goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan, who was otherwise brilliant effecting two superb saves off penalty corners.

Undeterred by the lost chance, India stepped up the tempo. In the 20th minute, Daljit Singh and Pakistan’s Saqlain Mohammad were shown yellow cards as both teams were temporarily reduced to 10 players. However, India could not be denied their second goal for long with Pillay again giving his team the lead in the 21st minute. Jugraj Singh’s free hit was deflected by Gagan Ajit Singh before it hit the pads of Qasim Mohammad. The rebound was shot home by Pillay which gave India a 2-1 lead.

Realising that their short passes were not yielding the desired results, Pakistan changed their strategy and resorted to long passes. The move brought instant results when Pakistan forced a penalty corner in the 26th minute. Abbas made no mistake and scored the equaliser for his team.

Resuming at 2-2 after the break, India once again took control of the proceedings with continuous raids on the rival citadel.

In the 41st minute, India again went ahead 3-2 following their fourth penalty corner. Jugraj could not take full possession of the ball but managed to dribble it a few yards before his backhander hit the keeper’s pads and Daljit Singh, pounced on the deflection and scooped the ball home.

The neck-and neck encounter saw Pakistan equalising once again in the 63rd minute. Gagan Ajit Singh failed to connect a Pillay cross and in the ensuing counter-attack, Pakistan scored through substitute Shabbir Mohammad.