India started their Champions Trophy campaign on a brilliant note beating favourites England 3-1 in a thrilling encounter in Melbourne on Saturday. However, it was England who drew first blood through Richard Smith. Smith scored in the 15th minutes with a drag flick after the Indians conceded a penalty corner.
Danish Mujtaba brought India back into the contest seven minutes later with a superb goal. Though the credit should go to Gurwinder Singh Chandi whose scorching pass from around the halfway line came off an English defender's stick and reached Danish, who dived to do the rest. The first half ended at 1-1.
In the second half, India looked a different team and Yuvraj Walmiki scored with a cracker of a goal three minutes into it. Again the ball came off an English defender's stick and Yuvraj, who was in the box all alone, tapped the looping ball in. England tried their best to find the equalizer but the Indian defense stood in their way all the time.
Sardar Singh's goal during a penalty corner four minutes from time brought joy to the Indian fans at the arena as the Michael Nobbs-led side romped to a thumping win. Raghunath gathered the ball and passed it to Sardar, who was onto it in a flash. India will now play New Zealand in another Pool A encounter on Sunday. The match starts 12.50 pm IST.
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