New Zealand will rue some basic errors in possession.
But Olympic debutant keeper Dom Dixon can take some confidence following a marvellous display to prevent more goals.
At the other end of the pitch the Indian keeper was also doing his best in denying goals.
New Zealand created opportunities but were not as clinical as they needed to be.
They did grab an early goal from a penalty corner. Sam Lane slammed in a drag-flick.
India equalised through a penalty corner of their own midway into the second quarter, but New Zealand appeared to be in control.
India asserted themselves early in the second half. They nabbed a second goal three minutes in, although there were some questions as to whether the ball crossed the line.
The video umpire was unable to conclusively decide if it did so the on-field call of a goal was left stand.
New Zealand had opportunities to score in the third quarter but could not convert.
But with seven minutes remaining, Simon Child clocked his 148th goal for New Zealand to level the game.
However, there was more late drama when India won a penalty stroke with two minutes remaining when the ball hit a defender’s foot just in front of the goal.
They smashed it in to get the win.
New Zealand was to play Belgium at 3.30am New Zealand time in their second round-robin game.
