India squandered their lead twice to settle for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their Champions Challenge opener. India went into the breather with a 1-0 cushion after Tushar Khandker had earned them the lead, before Dean Couzins equalised in the 47th minute. Shivendra Singh then put India ahead but New Zealand once again pulled level to split the points.
India relied on counter-attacks and one such move culminated with Khandker sounding the board. The Kiwis were unrelenting even after the break, but the defence looked impregnable till the 47th minute when Couzins converted a penalty stroke.
Shivendra Singh nearly scored from the next attack but his deflection hit the post. Soon, he got a similar opportunity and this time made no mistake as India regained the lead. New Zealand, however, simply refused to throw in the towel and were rewarded when Andrew Hayward scored from a penalty corner.