The revival of the Hockey India League has coincided with a generational shift in Indian women’s hockey. No longer are young players eased in quietly, protected from responsibility and expectation.
Instead, the league has placed them directly under the spotlight, asking them to defend leads, convert chances, and dictate games alongside seasoned internationals. The emergence of players such as Lalthantluangi, Jyoti Singh, Anjali Gautam, Kanika Siwach, Hina Bano, Sunelita Toppo and Sonam reflects a deeper change in Indian hockey’s development pathway one where youth is no longer potential, but performance.
At the heart of this movement is Lalthantluangi of the Ranchi Royals, a defender whose rise has been shaped by calmness rather than flair. Coming out of Mizoram, a region that continues to punch above its weight in Indian hockey, she announced herself at the Junior World Cup with assured defensive displays against high-tempo opposition. Her reading of passing lanes and ability to step in front of attackers at the right moment make her a natural interceptor.
In the HIL environment, where international forwards thrive on chaos inside the circle, Lalthantluangi’s composure under pressure stands out. She is not just a defender reacting to danger, but one anticipating it, an attribute that franchises increasingly value in modern hockey.
Leadership at a young age finds its clearest expression in Jyoti Singh of the Delhi SG Pipers. As the current captain of the Indian junior team, she carries tactical authority well beyond her 20 years. The HIL marks her first major opportunity to marshal a professional backline, often flanked by international defenders with Olympic and World Cup experience.
What separates Jyoti is her communication constant, precise, and confident. In a league defined by speed and quick turnovers, her ability to organise shape and calm nerves has earned her the label of “India’s best kept secret”. The HIL could well be the stage where that secret becomes common knowledge.
While some players arrive with international pedigree, others force attention through domestic excellence. Anjali Gautam of the Shrachi Bengal Tigers fits firmly into that category. Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, she built her reputation through relentless performances on the domestic circuit, combining defensive discipline with a high work rate in pressing systems.
For the Tigers, she represents calculated recruitment a player not hyped by global tournaments, but identified through consistency and adaptability. In a league where forwards are expected to defend aggressively from the front, Anjali’s ability to force turnovers high up the pitch makes her a valuable asset.
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In attack, few young players have announced themselves as emphatically as Kanika Siwach. Another standout from the 2025 Junior World Cup, her hat-trick at the tournament was a demonstration of instinctive finishing rather than raw power. Kanika thrives in tight spaces, reacting quicker than defenders inside the circle and finishing under pressure with minimal backlift. Her agility allows her to create shooting angles even when crowded out, a skill that translates seamlessly to the HIL, where defensive structures are compact and unforgiving.
That clinical edge is shared by Hina Bano, whose name surged into prominence after her hat-trick against Namibia at the same Junior World Cup. What makes Bano distinctive is her positioning. She does not rely on extended possession or elaborate build-up; instead, she appears in the right space at the right time, often unseen until the ball arrives. Her explosive strikes, particularly into the top corners, suggest a forward with natural goal sense—something that cannot be coached easily. In the HIL’s high-tempo environment, such efficiency can decide matches in brief moments.
Midfield dynamism comes in the form of Sunelita Toppo, already a regular in the senior Indian team at just 18. Her rise reflects a player comfortable with responsibility and physical intensity. Sunelita’s blistering pace allows her to break defensive lines both with the ball and through off-ball runs, while her defensive recovery ensures she contributes across both halves of the pitch. In many ways, she represents the modern midfielder—quick, fearless, and tactically flexible. For fans and selectors alike, the HIL offers a chance to see how she adapts her game when every opponent is an experienced international.
Completing this group is Sonam of JSW Soorma Hockey Club, the reigning Upcoming Player of the Tournament from the inaugural season. Her status as the highest Indian goalscorer last season was built on sharp anticipation and ruthless finishing rather than volume shooting. Sonam excels at reading rebounds and loose balls inside the circle, converting half-chances into goals.
Her breakthrough season was not a statistical anomaly but a reflection of maturity beyond her years, and the upcoming HIL campaign will test her ability to shoulder even greater attacking responsibility.
Together, these players represent more than individual promise. They signal a structural shift in Indian women’s hockey, where young athletes are trusted early, challenged consistently, and judged on performance rather than age. The Hockey India League, in giving them this platform, has accelerated their learning curve.
For Indian hockey, the message is clear: the future is not waiting patiently it is already playing, leading, and delivering.
Credit Enthu Sports
