We did not want to give up until the last minute, says Navneet on 2025-26 title win

Captain Navneet Kaur, after leading SG Pipers to the Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025-26 title, reflected on the team’s composure in the shootout, their resilience in the Final, and a season-long turnaround that saw them rise from last place in the previous edition to champions this year.

In the Final, SG Pipers defeated Shrachi Bengal Tigers 3-2 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. SG Pipers had twice fallen short against Shrachi Bengal Tigers via shootouts this season, but Hero Player of the Tournament Navneet said the team made a conscious effort to focus only on their plan when it mattered most. “We had already decided how we would approach it. Though we had lost the shootout to them before, we made it a point not to keep it in mind. Bansari Solanki had also prepared very well, so she had an idea of how their players would attack.”

On their late comeback in the contest, Navneet said belief within the group never wavered. “We got a lot of chances and created several opportunities in the first half. We did not want to give up until the last minute. We had already scored late goals like this during the season. The team believed that if we kept putting in effort and working hard till the last minute, we would get the goal. We had faith and trust in each other and believed that we would definitely score.”

Navneet Kaur was crowned the Hero Player of the Tournament and was awarded Rs 20 lakh

Reflecting on a season that ended with the title after finishing last in the previous edition, Navneet said, “Throughout the tournament, we did what we had decided from the first day. From the camp and the auction, itself, we were clear about how we wanted this team to be and how we wanted to work.”

The 29-year-old, who was the highest scorer for her team with four goals, added, “Last year, we felt bad about finishing last. But as soon as that season ended, we started planning for the next year. We wanted a better team, more options, and the right changes. I think that planning showed in the way we performed this season.”

For her performances, Navneet Kaur was crowned the Hero Player of the Tournament and was awarded Rs 20 lakh.