Chennai, 7 January 2026: HIL GC outclassed Shrachi Bengal Tigers 6-3 in a high-scoring Men’s Hero Hockey India League encounter at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Wednesday.
New Zealand drag-flick specialist Kane Russell led the charge with a hat-trick (19’, 36’, 44’) while Sam Ward (19’), Sudeep Chirmako (38’) and James Albery (59’) completed the tally. Captain Jugraj Singh (12’), Tom Grambusch (40’) and Christopher Ruhr (40’) struck for the Tigers.
The opening quarter was evenly fought, with both teams pressing high and sharing possession in midfield. HIL GC came close first when Sudeep Chirmako found Ajeet Yadav in the circle, only for his attempt to ricochet off the post. Shrachi Bengal Tigers then seized their moment through a series of penalty corners. After three successive saves, they earned a penalty stroke, confidently converted by captain Jugraj Singh (12’) to put them ahead. Ward almost levelled for HIL GC minutes later, but his deflection struck the upright yet again.
The second quarter belonged entirely to HIL GC, who turned the match on its head within the space of a minute. In the 19th minute, Kane Russell’s long diagonal was brilliantly glanced into goal by Sam Ward to equalise. From the very next attack, HIL GC forced a penalty corner, with Russell firing a thunderous drag-flick into the net to hand his side a 2-1 lead. Shrachi pushed hard before half-time, with Sukhjeet Singh rattling the crossbar after a dazzling solo run, but despite multiple circle entries, the Tigers went into the break trailing.
HIL GC extended their dominance after the restart. Russell, in imperious form, thumped home another penalty corner in the 36th minute to stretch the lead. Two minutes later, Sudeep Chirmako added a superb field goal from a tight angle, giving the Chennai franchise a commanding 4-1 cushion. But the Tigers clawed back through back-to-back goals in the 40th minute. Grambusch converted a set-piece later, and Ruhr pouncing on a rebound, narrowed the deficit to 4-3.
Russell, however, restored HIL GC’s momentum, completing his second consecutive hat-trick in the 44th minute with another precise drag-flick. The Tigers pressed forward in the closing quarter, even replacing their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player, but failed to break through as James Mazarelo made crucial saves, including off Jugraj’s penalty corner in the 49th minute. With Shrachi’s goal unguarded in the final minutes, James Albery sealed the result in the 59th, finishing calmly after a solo run to complete a commanding 6-3 victory.
ends
