Johan Durst has provided the heroics in goal for the Kookaburras, keeping out India's strikers in a shoot-out amid a cacophony of noise from the home fans to ensure another triumph for Australia's hockey men.
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For the first time on their hugely successful Indian leg of the FIH Pro League on Saturday, Australia were actually held to a draw 2-2 by the hosts in Rourkela, ending their run of six straight victories in normal time.
But determined to keep their unbeaten streak in tact despite the best efforts of the noisy home crowd, keeper Durst, who had already made one key save in the first 60 minutes, proved Australia's match-winner in the shootout.
He covered his goal in the circle so well that each of the first two Indian shooters missed the target before Durst then robbed their third choice Lalit Upadhyay with a superb stick challenge to seal the win.
In contrast, Tim Brand, Flynn Ogilvie and Tom Wickham all converted expertly for Australia in the high-pressure eight-second shootout tests to ensure the 3-0 win.
"It's probably one of the most incredible hockey experiences you ever have playing India in India," said the 32-year-old Victorian Durst, who looked quite emotional as he was mobbed by his teammates.
"You never normally get a crowd as big or loud or as entertaining as this, so it's a special memory.
"We're always looking at ways to improve our games so I really have thank our Australian strikers for sharpening me up."
The shootout success delivered Australia a bonus point, which now leaves them with 20 points from seven matches, three points behind league leaders, the Netherlands, who have played four matches more.
The Kookaburras can now end their Indian jaunt by going to the top of the table should they beat the Dutch for a second time in nine days on Sunday.
Earlier, the Kookaburras had been left a mite frustrated that they couldn't quite convert their supremacy into a seventh straight win in normal time, as they had to rely on Tom Craig's equaliser with seven minutes left to grab the draw.
Craig had stormed through on a midfield attack to pile into the circle and crack a shot on the bounce into the corner. The goal was only awarded after a video referral ensured Kookaburra Nathan Ephraums hadn't obstructed goalie PR Sreejesh.
It made up for the frustration of Blake Govers having his penalty stroke brilliantly saved by all-time great Sreejesh three minutes earlier, and a third-quarter goal from Lachie Sharp which was ruled out for the ball coming off Brand's arm in the build-up.
India had taken the lead in the opening quarter when India's hero Harmanpreet Singh netted his 175th goal for his country from a penalty corner.
Not to be outdone, Australia's own goal machine Govers then responded with his 143rd international strike, also from a corner.
But Amit Rohidas forced the Aussies to play catch-up when he too struck from a short corner to give India a 2-1 halftime lead.
Australian Associated Press
