New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- One thing was absolutely clear in Hobart: the Hardik Singh-led India squad did not want a repeat of the home leg of the FIH Pro League. Earlier this month in Rourkela, the Indian hockey team suffered four successive losses, two each against Argentina and table toppers Belgium, to begin their Pro League campaign. This included the country's joint-worst defeat, as the hosts lost 8-0 to Argentina. The Hobart-leg of the elite nine-team tournament didn't take off well either as India went down 0-2 to Spain at the Tasmania Hockey Centre, marking their fifth loss on the trot. But performances improved. India secured three successive draws against hosts Australia (2-2 and 1-1) and Spain (1-1). While they lost the first two penalty shootouts, they finally earned a shootout bonus in their final game against Australia on Wednesday. The intent was clear in Hobart, especially on the defensive side, but the could not score enough goals. After eight games, India have scored only nine goals, the lowest among all teams and have conceded 25. With the World Cup and Asian Games looming, chief coach Craig Fulton took an experimental squad to Hobart to prepare for more important tests ahead, resulting in trying out new or less experienced players in the forward-line. Selvam Karthi was tried out in Rourkela. Angad Bir Singh and Maninder Singh made their comeback to the team in Hobart. Araijeet Singh Hundal and Aditya Arjun Lalage gave Fulton enough belief to consider them for both legs. But if India are to win matches in any event, these forwards have to score. Hero of the 2024 Paris Olympics Abhishek and seasoned campaigner Mandeep Singh have also failed to fire this Pro League campaign. India also struggled in PCs. The absence of regular skipper and primary drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh - who has taken a break due to personal reasons - was clearly visible as India converted only two of their 16 chances in Australia. There were positives too as the defence and midfield worked well together, unlike what happened in Rourkela. Rajinder Singh and Hardik controlled the midfield while the experience of Amit Rohidas, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit and Jugraj Singh bolstered the Indian defence allowed only six goals in four games despite 96 circle penetrations....