Rupinder Pal Singh struck twice as drag-flickers ruled the roost to help India register a fighting 3-2 win over Ireland in their opening match of the men's hockey competition at the Olympics, here on Saturday.
Drag-flickers VR Raghunath (15th minute) and Rupinder (27th, 49th) converted three out of seven penalty corners India earned in the match to secure their first win in an opening clash at the Olympics since Sydney Games 2000.
Ireland gave India a run for their money, especially in the second half, finding the net twice through Jermyn John (45th) and Conor Harte (56th) at the Olympic Hockey Centre.
Going by world rankings, India (5th) were the favourites in the Pool B encounter against Ireland (12th) and the eight-time gold medallist started on expected note by dominating the first two quarters.
Just a second from the end of the first quarter India earned three more back-to-back penalty corners, the last of which was ably converted by VR Raghunath with a powerful low flick to the right of the Irish goalkeeper. India then secured their fifth penalty corner which was converted by Rupinder Pal Singh in the 27th minute.
After the change of ends, Ireland looked a completely different side as they took the initiate and pressed the Indian defence hard in search of goals.
The Irish in the process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes and John scored his first international goal from the second opportunity to reduce the margin to 2-1.
India then earned another set piece in the final quarter which was powerfully struck by Rupinder to register his second and country's third goal of the day.
But Ireland did not sit back and put continuous pressure thereafter, managing to break the resolute India defence in the final 10 minutes of the match.
Under pressure the Indian defence looked out of sorts and in the process conceded four penalty corners, the third of which resulted in a goal for the Irish.
Conor Harte scored from Ireland's seventh penalty corner after the initial effort was saved by Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. The Indians, thereafter, played defensive hockey and concentrated on holding possession of the ball to secure full points from the match. India will next play reigning Olympic champions Germany on August 8.
Earlier in the first match of Pool B, Argentina held london Olympics silver medallist Netherlands to a 3-3 draw.