Indian men's hockey team faces Australia test ahead of World Cup

World No.5 India will clearly start as underdogs against the Kookaburras though Graham Reid's team has been a force to reckon with since winning a historic bonze in the Tokyo Olympics last year

The Indian men's hockey team will get another chance to reassess its strength and weakness ahead of the World Cup when it squares off against world number one Australia in a five-match series, starting here on Saturday.

It has always been a herculean task for India to challenge the might of the Australians, who are dominant force in World hockey.

It will be the first time they meet since Australia thrashed India 7-0 in the CWG final in Birmingham.

World No.5 India will clearly start as underdogs against the Kookaburras though Graham Reid's team has been a force to reckon with since winning a historic bonze in the Tokyo Olympics last year.

India are coming into the match after two victories against New Zealand and mixed results (1W, 1L) against Spain in Bhubaneswar in the fresh FIH Pro League season.

Both Spain and New Zealand are lower-ranked sides -- at eighth and ninth respectively -- and facing Australia at home will be an altogether different proposition for the Indian side.

Talking about the series, India head coach Reid said, "There is no better place to come than Australia for preparation for the World Cup.