Sandeep Singh scored four times but Canada took advantage of a fragile Indian defence to stage a late comeback and hold the visitors to a 4-4 draw in the third Test of the seven-match hockey series at the Tamanawis Park here.

Sandeep flicked home in the ninth, 18th, 31st and 45th minutes while Scott Tupper (second), Rob Short (66th) and Mark Pearson (68th and 70th min) scored for Canada, last night.

However, India continues to lead the series 2-0. Canada began aggressively and took an early lead when the Indian defence conceded a soft penalty corner in the second minute which was sunk in by Tupper to goalkeeper Adrian D'Souza's right.

Rattled by this reversal, India took a firm grip on the proceedings soon after with forays from both flanks.

The midfielders led by skipper Tushar Khandker propelled the forwards Shivendra Singh, Rajpal Singh and Gurwinder Chandi to move cohesively in the Canadian danger zone for a look in.

A physical tackle by Scott Sandison on Rajpal Singh within the Canadian quarter line gave India their first penalty corner from which Sandeep levelled the score.

Sandeep scored again nine minutes later after Shivendra was brought down by Canada's Gabbar Singh. India continued to hold sway with Khandker, Dhananjay Mahadik and Arjun Halappa constantly moving upfront in tandem with the forwards.

Sandeep completed his hat trick off a scorcher past custodian David Carter in the 31st minute after striker Roshan Minz found the foot of a Canadian defender.

Canada came close to reducing the margin shortly before the break but a penalty corner attempt by Tupper was wide and Rob Short's open attempt was well anticipated by D'Souza.