The Australians thought they had won the match but India protested about the retaken second shootout goal, scored by Daniel Beale.

Beale had originally missed his first effort but was granted a retake as Sreejesh Parattu was adjudged to have obstructed the Australian.

But the offence appeared to have occurred after the hooter sounded, prompting India to submit a complaint as they felt the goal should not have stood, causing a delay of nearly an hour.

Following a lengthy consultation process among the officials, India's protest was rejected and Australia's triumph was officially confirmed, though the incident raised serious questions about how an international standard competition can end in such a bizarre manner. 

Due to the delayed result, Australia were not presented with the trophy on the pitch.

After a thrilling contest had ended all-square at 0-0, Aran Zalewski, Beale and Simon Orchard all found the net with their penalties, while only Harmanpreet Singh hit the target for India.

Surender Kumar was the guilty party as he missed India's crucial fourth penalty as the Australians laid down a marker ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with another international gold medal.

In truth, India, who were competing in their first-ever Champions Trophy final, will perhaps depart the London 2012 venue full of disappointment as they were the better side for large periods but couldn't convert their possession into goals.

The victory for Australia, who are the reigning World Cup and World League champions, saw them claim their fifth Champions Trophy crown in the last six competitions, ensuring they can lay claim to the "best of the best" tag for another two years.

In the bronze medal match, Marco Miltkau’s 40th minute strike guided defending champions Germany to a 1-0 win over hosts Britain.

Belgium secured fifth place as they overcame South Korea in a thriller in the opening game of the final day of the men's event.

India, whose previous best result at the tournament was bronze in 1982, began the brighter of the two sides in the gold medal match as they continually caused the Australian defence problems but they weren't quite able to capitalise.

Uthappa Sannuvanda had one of India's best opportunities in the opening quarter but his reverse-stick shot flashed wide of the post.

Blake Govers was handed the responsibility but he guided his shot wide to ensure the scores remained level and neither side were able to break the deadlock as the first half ended goalless.

Chances were few and far between after the restart but India again looked the more likely to find the opening goal as frustration started to grow among the Australian side, with Trent Mitton given a yellow card for dissent towards one of the officials.

Matt Dawson then followed suit in the fourth quarter for a blatant trip on Sunil Sowmarpet, prompting India to attempt to press home their numerical advantage.

India were briefly reduced to ten men three minutes from time when Chinglensana Kangujam was ordered off the field but his team-mates were able to hold out in his absence as the final went to a shootout, but it was Australia who held their nerve to top the podium at the Champions Trophy once again.