The Shrachi Bengal Tigers are heading into the 2025-26 Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) with one clear goal to turn previous season’s third-place finish into a winner’s medal this year. After missing out on the summit clash in the inaugural edition, the team from Bengal has spent well at the mini-auction to build a stable squad.
They retained the services of Sushila Chanu, Mahima Chaudhary, Vandana Katariya and Jenifer Rizzo, while spending the biggest splash at the auction, signing Argentina’s Agustina Gorzelany for a staggering Rs 42 lakh and Valentina Raposo for Rs 30 lakh.
The Argentine defender Augustina is one of the best drag-flickers in the women’s hockey. Alongside her is fellow Argentine Valentina, who will look to create a defensive ‘South American’ wall that will be difficult for opposition strikers to breach.
The local Indian talent is no less. Mahima and Puja Sahoo, alongside seasoned Indian defender Gurjit Kaur, complete the backline. Having both Augustina and Gurjit means that the Tigers have two of the most reliable penalty-corner specialists in the league. If the Tigers win a short corner, it will always be a goal-scoring opportunity.
In the midfield, Tigers have invested in pure experience. They signed Monika to control the centre of the pitch and she will be supported by the veteran Sushila Chanu and Netherlands player Noor De Baat. Both are capable of passing the ball from defence to attack seamlessly.
Up front, the Tigers rely on Vandana, India’s most experienced forward. She is joined by the energetic Lalremsiami, who is known for her tireless running and ability to press high towards the opponents’ circle and forcing the opposing defenders into making mistakes.
To add some international flair to the forward line, the team has brought in Argentina’s Victoria Manuele and Sosha Benninga from the Netherlands. The presence of overseas attackers will give the Tigers a different dimension in the attacking circle. Alongside them, they also have some talented fresh legs like Sukhveer Kaur, Purnima Yadav and Lalrinpui.
The Tigers have a solid goalkeeper in Rizzo, the American star who was part of the team in the previous edition and showed good ability. Alongside her, young Indian custodian Aditi Maheshwari will be there as a back-up.
The Shrachi Bengal Tigers have a balanced squad. They have experienced players in defence and strong finishers up front. If their international stars can gel quickly with the Indian core, then they are the favourites to reach the final in Ranchi.
The Tigers will start their campaign against previous edition’s runner-up JSW Soorma Hockey Club on December 28.
Full Squad
Gurjit Kaur, Puja Sahoo, Mahima Choudhary, Monika, Manisha Chauhan, , Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Purnima Yadav, Sukhveer Kaur, Anjali Gautam, Lalrinpuii, Lalremsiami, Vandana Katariya
Jennifer Rizzo, Aditi Maheshwari, Agustina Gorzelany, Valentina Raposo,Noor de Baat, Emma Findlay,Victoria Manuele, Sosha Benninga
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