Bhubaneswar, 26 January 2026 — On a night woven with precision drag-flicks, heart-stopping saves, and the roar of an adoring home crowd, the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers scripted a classic in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League Final, edging past the Ranchi Royals 3-2 at the iconic Kalinga Stadium. This was not just a game — it was a stage where stars rose and legacies were etched in amber.
⭐ Alexander Hendrickx — The Belgian Drag-Flick Maestro
From Wilrijk to Bhubaneswar, Alexander Hendrickx carried an aura of menace in his stick. Already celebrated globally as one of the most feared drag-flickers — top scorer at the Tokyo Olympics and a EuroHockey and World Cup stalwart — Hendrickx brought that lethal precision to the HIL final. He struck early in the 4th minute with a thunderous flick that divided defence and goalkeeper, and then again in the 27th minute, his shot rifling into the top corner to seal destiny for the Lancers. In a tournament already rich with global talent, his performance was a masterclass in execution under pressure.
🔥 Dilpreet Singh — India’s Forward Force
At 26, Dilpreet Singh has already become one of India’s most electrifying forwards. Born in Butala, Punjab, Dilpreet blazed onto the international scene as a teenager and has since tallied over 40 goals for India, donning the national jersey with poise in World Cups, Asian Champions Trophies, and the Olympic podium. In the final, his instinctive finish off Hendrickx’s saved flick in the 25th minute highlighted his razor-sharp marauding instincts — the kind that worry defenders at every level.
🇮🇳 Araijeet Singh Hundal — The Rising Drag-Flick Prodigy
For the Royals, 22-year-old Araijeet Singh Hundal stood tall — literally and figuratively. A third-generation hockey scion from Punjab, his early years saw him light up junior world stages with hat-tricks and clutch goals. In the Final, he answered back with a superbly taken field goal in the 9th minute, showcasing his lethal drag-flick ability and marking himself as one of India’s brightest attacking prospects.
🇧🇪 Tom Boon — Royal Roar at the Death
Captain Tom Boon, Belgium’s seasoned goal-getter, epitomised tenacity. With 19 goals in the tournament to clinch the Top Scorer award, his low-driven penalty corner strike in the 59th minute epitomised his signature blend of power and precision — a threat that kept the Lancers defence honest until the dying seconds.
🧠 Yashdeep Siwach — The Connective Defender
While unsung heroes often go unnoticed, Yashdeep Siwach’s wing play and incisive cross-field switch in the 9th minute—threading the pass to Hundal for the Royals’ equaliser—underscored his emerging role as a cerebral defender and transition initiator. A scion of hockey royalty himself, Siwach continues his ascent with calm leadership and precise distribution from deep positions.
He has “royal blood” in more ways than one. The surname “Siwach” is also the name of a famous watch company that used to sponsor hockey scoreboards during the Asian Games. Whenever a certain star player scored a goal, she would be inspired by the congratulatory message on the board—lingering for a moment on the name “Swatch” displayed proudly at the top.
That player was none other than Pritam Rani, Yashdeep’s mother. And the namesake sponsor? That was similar to his father’s name, Siwach. It was during those days that his parents were dating. Known in her prime as the “Lady Dhanraj Pillay,” Pritam Rani appears to have passed on more than just talent—she passed on a royal hockey legacy.
🧱 Krishan Bahadur Pathak — The Wall Between the Posts
In the final quarter, as the Royals mounted their charge, Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood like a citadel. With reflex saves against Sam Lane, Boon, and Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Pathak’s artistry between the pipes preserved the Lancers’ slender lead and epitomised the spirit of a goalkeeper at his peak.
🏆 Beyond the Final Whistle
Though the scoreboard read 3-2, this contest was a battle of character and craft, where experience danced with youthful defiance. The league rightly recognised individual excellence — Amandeep Lakra as Hero Player of the Tournament, and Tom Boon as Top Scorer — affirming that while teams grind together, it is players who make the moments unforgettable.
BRONZE for Hyderabad Toofans
Hyderabad Toofans clinched third place in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL), defeating HIL GC 4-3 in a high-scoring thriller at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday. Amandeep Lakra (30’, 53) bagged a brace with Nilakanta Sharma (24’) and Jacob Anderson (33’) also getting on the scoresheet for the Toofans. Meanwhile, Sam Ward (14’, 52’) scored twice with Kane Russell (55’) also contributing for HIL GC. With this win, the Toofans maintained their winning record against HIL GC this season.
