Playing an ultra-defensive game, India twice took the lead but threw it all away in the end to settle for a 2-2 draw against South Africa in their second match of the inaugural Champions Challenge Hockey tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. India, who had scraped past Belgium with a 1-0 win on Friday, now have four points from two matches. South Africa, who had shocked title contenders Argentina in their first game, also have four points.

India had themselves to blame for missing out on a win their defensive attitude was hard to understand. In the first half they started well and even the midfield, which was sluggish on Friday, was moving well.
With Deepak Thakur back in the team after missing out the match against Belgium, there was a sharpness in the rontline. But after leading 2-1 at the break, India preferred to play a defensive role and helped the South Africans to come back and draw the match. Bureau Report