Nelson (New Zealand), Oct 6: The experience gained by winning two practice matches against New Zealand A did not help the Indian hockey team as the visitors lost the opener of the four-match bilateral Test series 0-2 to the Black Sticks here on Tuesday.
India had beaten New Zealand A 3-1 and 2-1 in the two practice games in Auckland on October 2 and 3 but that did not help the Asian team as the Sardar Singh-led side tamely went down to the hosts.
IANS