India beat New Zealand 3-2 in the third game of the four match series, take 2-1 lead

Dharamvir Singh scored the winner for India

In a thrilling contest at Christchurch, the Indian hockey team recorded their second straight win over New Zealand after beating them 3-2 in the third match of the four-match Test series on Thursday.

The opening quarter saw the visitors take an early lead, courtesy a Penalty Corner strike from Rupinder Pal Singh with just over 5 minutes left on the clock and maintained the lead until the end of the quarter.

Th second quarter saw the hosts look for the equaliser and they eventually got it with 7 minutes left on the clock, thanks to a strike from Jared Panchai. As much as both teams pressed to take home the advantage, they couldn't do so and the first half finished with both teams at a stalemate.

The other side of the half saw both teams once again press forward, but it was India who once again went in front when Ramandepp Singh netted in a goal in the 41st minute of the game to give his side the crucial lead.

But the Black Sticks refused to back down and came back to net in the equaliser at the 52nd minute, courtesy a strike from Steve Edwards to make it 2-2. As the countdown began, both teams started to press forward to create the opening for the third goal and with 40 seconds left on the clock in the final quarter, it was Dharamvir Singh, who scored the match-winning goal for India and the team managed to hang onto the lead to win the match 3-2 and take a 2-1 lead in the four-match Test series.

India take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series by winning a cliffhanger! Congrats to the team! #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/ps6p8yZS1J

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 9, 2015