Vedanta Kalinga Lancers clinch Men’s Hero HIL title with 3–2 win over Ranchi Royals

Photo by Pixel Sports\Debjoy Biswas

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were crowned champions of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 after edging past Ranchi Royals 3–2 in the Final at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, delighting a packed home crowd on Monday evening.

Belgian dragflick ace Alexander Hendrickx struck twice while Dilpreet Singh added a crucial rebound goal as the Lancers held their nerve in a contest that swung with momentum and intensity right till the final whistle. For the Royals, Araijeet Singh Hundal and captain Tom Boon found the net, but it wasn’t enough to deny the hosts their historic triumph.

Both sides began the Final with attacking intent, creating circle entries early and testing defensive structures. The breakthrough arrived in the fourth minute when Vedanta Kalinga Lancers earned back-to-back penalty corners. Hendrickx made no mistake, unleashing a fierce dragflick past the Royals’ goalkeeper to give the hosts the lead.

Ranchi Royals responded swiftly and with quality. In the ninth minute, a clever aerial switch from Yashdeep Siwach found Araijeet Singh Hundal inside the circle. Hundal controlled superbly before smashing home a powerful field goal to restore parity and settle the early nerves.

The second quarter belonged to the Lancers. Sustained pressure forced Ranchi Royals deep into their half, and a flurry of penalty corners followed. In the 25th minute, Hendrickx’s initial dragflick was saved by Suraj Karkera, but Dilpreet Singh reacted quickest to bury the rebound and regain the lead.

Just two minutes later, another penalty corner saw Hendrickx step up once again, firing a thunderous dragflick into the top right corner to give Vedanta Kalinga Lancers a commanding 3–1 advantage at halftime.

Ranchi Royals emerged with renewed purpose after the break, dominating possession in the third quarter. A penalty corner in the 36th minute saw Tom Boon’s flick denied by the first rusher, while Araijeet Singh Hundal came close again late in the quarter only to be thwarted by a sharp save from goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.

The final quarter turned into a siege. Royals threw everything forward, but Pathak delivered a goalkeeping masterclass, producing three outstanding saves against Sam Lane, Tom Boon, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess. His stick save in the 54th minute drew loud roars from the stands and proved pivotal.

Ranchi Royals finally reduced the deficit in the 59th minute through a low-driven penalty corner flick from Tom Boon. However, time ran out before they could find the equaliser, as the Lancers defended resolutely to seal the title.

Hockey India confirmed prize money of INR 3 crore for champions Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, INR 2 crore for runners-up Ranchi Royals, and INR 1 crore for third-placed Hyderabad Toofans.

HIL GC received the Fair Play Award. Tamil Nadu Dragons goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Talem Priyobarta of HIL GC won the Upcoming Player of the Tournament, with both receiving INR 10 lakh. Ranchi Royals captain Tom Boon finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 19 goals and earned INR 10 lakh, while Hyderabad Toofans’ Amandeep Lakra was adjudged Hero Player of the Tournament and awarded INR 20 lakh.