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India trounce Pakistan 3-0
in Madras hockey Test

A resurgent India pulled off a face-saving 3-0 win over Pakistan in the fourth and final Test of the home leg of the Pepsi Friendship Hockey Series.

The game, played at the South Asian Federation Games Astroturf stadium in Madras, was marked by fine performances by left winger Rajesh Chauhan, experienced schemer Mohammed Riaz, and forward Baljit Singh Dhillon.

The victory, which came through two field goals by Chauhan in the third and 54th minutes and a penalty-corner converted by Dhillon in the 18th minute, came too late to prevent Pakistan winning the India leg of the series. The Pakistanis won the first three Tests in New Delhi (4-3), Bhopal (4-1) and Hyderabad (5-2).

But the ease of the victory will certainly help the boys in the five-Test Pakistan leg of the series, coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran, hardly able to contain his joy, said. "I know personally nobody would have expected it," he added, as though hitting out at his detractors.

UNI