The hockey world turned its gaze toward India as the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) returned for its second season on January 3, 2026, since its revival. The league promises a 23 days of high-octane hockey clashes, tactical masterclasses, and a unique mix of Indian structure, European speed and South American flair.
With eight teams vying for the title across three venues, the opening leg will start in Chennai and then the caravan will move to Ranchi and Bhubaneswar to host the knockouts and the rest of the league matches. The final is slated for January 26 on Republic Day.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers
Previous edition champions, Shrachi Bengal Tigers enter the season with a massive target on their backs of defending the title. The Bengal franchise has kept its winning Indian trio of Abhishek Nain, Sukhjeet Singh and Jugraj Singh. In a significant move, they signed 14-year-old Ketan Kushawaha, the youngest player in HIL history.
They added German powerhouse Christopher Rühr and Tom Grambusch, adding a layer of aggressive veteran leadership in the midfield to an already lethal forward line led by Abhishek and Sukhjeet. Last season’s top scorer and the hero of the final, Jugraj, has been promoted to captain.
Hyderabad Toofaans
Last year’s runners-up, Hyderabad Toofans, return with a point to prove. They faced a setback as German star Gonzalo Peillat was ruled out due to an ACL injury. The Toofans have retained their defensive anchor Arthur De Sloover and midfield engine led by Nilakanta Sharma, Zachary Wallace and Sumit. The Toofani speed of Tim Brand, Jacob Anderson and Shilanand Lakra will oversee the attack. Bikramjit Singh, who was named goalkeeper of the tournament last season, will guard the goalpost alongside German custodian Jean Paul Danneberg.
HIL Governing Council (Formerly UP Rudras)
After the withdrawal of their owners, the team is now being managed by the HIL Governing Council to maintain the balance of the league.
They are led by Indian team vice-captain and midfield maestro Hardik Singh, who brings world-class flair to the side. They’ve retained stars like Lalit Kumar Upadhyay along with international recruits Sam Ward, Kane Russell and Tanguy Cosyns. Britain’s James Mazarelo, who impressed with his reflexes last season, is set to guard the post.
The GC have nothing to lose and they’re free from any commercial pressure, and that unique situation makes them a dark horse.
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers made the biggest splash at the auction by signing two Australians: midfielder Liam Henderson for a whopping 42 lacs and forward Cooper Burns for 34.50 lacs. Indian mainstay Krishan Bahadur Pathak will guard the net. Lancers have opted for a co-captaincy model with Indian star Sanjay and Belgian legend Arthur Van Doren leading the side. By retaining the Indian core of Dilpreet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Angad Bir Singh and adding another young talent, Bobby Singh Dhami, they have built a balanced squad.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club
Soorma is led by Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, one of the best drag-flickers in the world. Soorma have retained almost all of their core players. They’ve fortified their net with Belgian goalkeeping star Vincent Vanasch. The defence will be led by Australian powerhouse Jeremy Hayward and Argentina’s veteran Nicolas Della Torre along with Harmanpreet. In midfield, they have experienced Victor Wegnez and Vivek Sagar Prasad, while up front Nicolas Keenan and Gurjant Singh will lead.
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons
The Dragons’ tactical unit relies on set-piece efficiency and structured midfield play. Captain Amit Rohidas anchors the backline with newly added Netherlands’ Sander De Wijn, supported by two-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year David Harte and talented Princedeep Singh, who impressed everyone at the recently concluded Junior World Cup in Chennai with his reach around the net.
Dragons have kept a lethal drag-flicker in Blake Govers, supported by experienced Paul Kaufmann, Thomas Sorbsy and Tom Craig. Uttam Singh, Selvam Karthi and Nathan Ephraums will show their magic in the forward line.
Ranchi Royals
Led by the legendary Indian midfielder Manpreet Singh, the Ranchi Royals prioritise rapid transitions and a controlled forward line. The Royals replaced Team Gonasika after they pulled out before the mini auction. The team boasts a blend of overseas and Indian youngsters in the backline with Joshua Beltz, Van Oots Maxime, Tim Howard, Nilam Sanjeep Xess and Anmol Ekka.
The Royals’ midfield is led by Jack Waller and supported by experienced Mandeep Singh, Sam Lane, Tom Boom and young Araijit Singh Hundal in attack. Suraj Karkera will guard the goalpost.
SG Pipers
After a disappointing finish in the previous edition, the Pipers made slight changes. They brought in Rupinder Pal Singh, who helped Shrachi Bengal Tigers last year to reach triumph, and Welsh international Jacob Draper, and retained a solid Indian core featuring Captain Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Raj Kumar Pal and Shamsher Singh. With Tomas Domene, Roman Duvekot and Dilraj Singh in attack and Argentine veteran Tomas Santiago in goal, the Pipers will look to overturn their fate.
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