Published: January 5, 2026 at 9:08 pm
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers claimed a 4-2 victory over Ranchi Royals in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. Alexander Hendrickx (7′, 28′) and Gursahibjit Singh (16′, 26′) scored for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers while Tom Boon (1′) and Mandeep Singh (9′) were the goalscorers for Ranchi Royals.
Ranchi Royals couldn’t have made a better start to the game as they found the opening goal in the first minute of the match. The Royals won an early penalty corner as Tom Boon (1′) made the most of the opportunity, slotting the ball into the net with a powerful dragflick. Ranchi Royals dominated possession early on, but Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were quick to adapt as they improved and won a penalty corner in the seventh minute. Belgian dragflick specialist Alexander Hendrickx (7′) stepped up and delivered the equaliser with a perfect flick past the goalkeeper.
Two minutes later, Ranchi Royals claimed the lead again as Vishnukant Singh played an incisive first-time pass into the circle for Mandeep Singh (9′) who did well to win the ball in a tight position and score his goal. In the 13th minute, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers played an interesting variation in search of an equaliser from a penalty corner, but Rosan Kujur’s attempt narrowly missed the target.
Alexander Hendrickx scored two goals in Vedanta Kalinga Lancers’ 4-2 win over Ranchi Royals in Chennai on Sunday. Photos: Hockey India League
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers began the second quarter strong with a crucial field goal. Craig Marias showed great skill inside the circle as his pass set up Gursahibjit Singh (16′) perfectly for a diving finish into the goal. The Lancers struck again in the 26th minute as Dilpreet Singh did well to protect the ball inside the circle and play it to Gursahibjit Singh (26′), who was in the perfect position to poach the ball. Two minutes later, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers further increased their advantage as Alexander Hendrickx (28′) converted another penalty corner to end the first half in a comfortable position.
The third quarter saw Ranchi Royals dominate possession again as they tried to control the tempo of the game and create chances, however, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were resilient at the back, protecting their two-goal cushion. In the 42nd minute, Ranchi Royals won three consecutive penalty corners but the Lancers did brilliantly to deny them on all three occasions. Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were awarded a penalty corner at the other end of the pitch as Cooper Burns tried to find a goal but was denied by a crucial save by Royals’ goalkeeper Suraj Karkera.
The final quarter saw a very tight contest between the two teams as Ranchi Royals pushed ahead in search of goals, but Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were solid with their defending and hardly made any errors at the back to claim a victory and begin their Men’s Hero HIL campaign on a positive note.
Bengal Tigers open campaign with a win
Defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers opened their campaign with a confident 3–1 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club on Friday. For the Tigers, Sukhjeet Singh (33’), Abhishek (45’) and Gursewak Singh (60’), while a lone goal was scored by Prabhjot Singh (54’) for Soorma.
The opening quarter was evenly balanced, with both teams looking to settle into the contest. JSW Soorma tried to stretch the Tigers’ defence by switching play and using long passes, while the Tigers relied on quick counterattacks and aerial balls into the circle. Despite a few promising moves from Nicolas Poncelet and Tommy Willems, neither side could create a clear-cut chance in the first 15 minutes.
Action from the Shrachi Bengal Tigers vs JSW Soorma Hockey Club. Bengal Tigers won 3-1
The Tigers grew stronger in the second quarter and began to control possession. Abhishek was lively upfront and won multiple penalty corners, but Soorma goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch kept his team in the game with several sharp saves, including a crucial double save late in the half. The teams went into the break with the score still level.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers finally broke the deadlock early in the third quarter when Tom Grambusch’s penalty-corner flick was deftly deflected into the goal by Sukhjeet Singh in the 33rd minute. The Tigers continued to press and doubled their lead later in the quarter when Abhishek showed great composure, holding off the defender before firing a powerful reverse-stick shot past Vanasch from a tight angle.
JSW Soorma showed intent in the final quarter and were rewarded when Prabhjot Singh finished off a neat passing move in the 54th minute to reduce the deficit. However, as Soorma pushed forward and took off their goalkeeper in the closing moments, the Tigers struck again. Abhishek stole possession and unselfishly set up Gursewak Singh (60’), who scored into an empty net in the final minute to seal the win.
Sukhjeet Singh was named Player of the Match for his influential performance as the Tigers began their title defence on a positive note.
