Two goals in the last three minutes from forward Blake Govers clinched the 5-4 win for Australia in Adelaide, against the same rivals they defeated 7-0 to take the title in Birmingham.

Govers' 118th goal in 129 appearances for the Kookaburras sealed the deal with the last action of the game, converting from a penalty corner to hand the home side a win in the first of a five-match series.

In an end-to-end encounter, Australia took an early lead when Lachi Sharp rifled in to capitalise on a driving midfield run from the influential Tom Craig.

In what was to become a familiar pattern, India quickly hit back through Akashdeep Singh, who levelled the scores five minutes later.

More good approach work from Craig - this time down the left - set up Nathan Ephraums to restore the Kookaburras' lead, but Akashdeep Singh again dragged the visitors back into the contest before halftime.

A minute after the break, Australia fell behind for the first time when India's captain and world player of the year Harmanpreet Singh scored to make it 3-2.

This time it was the home side's turn to mount a comeback, Craig finding the net himself before Govers scored what seemed destined to be the winner with three minutes left on the clock.

But in a breathless finale, Akashdeep Singh completed his hat-trick in the final minute before Govers made the most of a penalty corner on the stroke of full time to fire home a dramatic winner.

"It was probably everything you could ask for," Craig said, looking forward to January's men's hockey World Cup in India.

"We have five matches before the World Cup and to be pushed to the end, see nine goals scored ... that's what everyone in Adelaide wants to see.

"It's so nice to get back around the boys and build the connections ...that's what these games are about."

Match two of the series, also at the State Hockey Centre in Adelaide, takes place on Sunday (4.30pm AEDT).

Australian Associated Press