In the end, India’s sharp set-piece execution proved key, with Harmanpreet Singh bagging a double from penalty corners either side of halftime, after Rupinder Pal Singh had earlier slotted home from a penalty stroke.
The Black Sticks had opened in style, seizing the initiative in the sixth minute via a penalty corner, with Kane Russell flicking stylishly high past the right shoulder of Sreejesh, after India had had an early shot kept out only by the crossbar, before Woods was temporarily forced from the turf after copping a stick to the face.
India pressed hard in response and a great save from Kiwi keeper Leon Hayward kept them out, only for the resulting penalty corner to morph into a penalty stroke after the goal-bound shot struck Shea McAleese.