The Hero Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 marked a decisive step forward in the professionalization of women’s hockey in India, blending competitive depth, financial backing, and a clear pathway for emerging domestic talent.
Staged at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda AstroTurf Stadium in Ranchi from December 28, 2025 to January 10, 2026, the season was remembered not only for SG Pipers’ championship triumph but also for the emergence of Sunelita Toppo as one of the brightest young prospects in Indian hockey.
The tournament brought together four franchises SG Pipers, Shrachi Bengal Tigers, Ranchi Royals, and JSW Soorma Hockey Club in a compact but fiercely contested league. Competitive parity was evident throughout the league stage, with narrow margins separating teams and multiple matches being decided by shootouts. SG Pipers eventually finished atop the table, built on defensive consistency and balanced scoring, while the Tigers showcased resilience under pressure, particularly in shootout situations.
The financial structure of the league underlined its growing stature. Prize money of INR 1.5 crore for champions SG Pipers, INR 1 crore for runners-up Shrachi Bengal Tigers, and INR 50 lakh for third-placed Ranchi Royals reflected a conscious push toward sustainability and professionalism. Individual awards further reinforced this approach, with substantial rewards for excellence across roles in goalkeeping, scoring, leadership, and youth development.
SG Pipers’ turnaround from a bottom-of-the-table finish in the previous season to champions in 2025–26 was one of the league’s central narratives. Under head coach Sofie Gierts, the franchise adopted a philosophy rooted in trust, tactical discipline, and prioritization of Indian players. Gierts consistently fielded lineups dominated by domestic talent, using international experience as a complement rather than a crutch. This approach paid dividends, allowing young players to take responsibility in high-pressure situations.
Captain Navneet Kaur played a pivotal role in translating that philosophy onto the pitch. Surpassing 200 international caps during the season, she combined leadership with tangible impact, finishing as the team’s top scorer in the league stage. Her ability to control tempo, link midfield to attack, and deliver in decisive moments earned her the Hero Player of the Tournament award.
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The final against the Shrachi Bengal Tigers was emblematic of the season’s intensity. The Tigers struck first through Lalremsiami, while SG Pipers responded late via Preeti Dubey to force a shootout. In the decisive moments, composure and preparation separated the sides. Goals from Navneet Kaur, Juana Castellaro, and Lola Riera, coupled with three crucial saves by goalkeeper Bansari Solanki, secured the title for SG Pipers. Solanki’s performance across the tournament earned her the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, reinforcing the importance of strong Indian goalkeeping depth.
Amid these established names, the season’s most compelling individual story belonged to Sunelita Toppo, who was named Upcoming Player of the Tournament. At just 18, Toppo showcased maturity beyond her years, contributing not only with goals but also with a relentless work rate, intelligent movement, and the confidence to express herself in open play. Her performances reflected the success of SG Pipers’ youth-first approach and highlighted the league’s role as a bridge between junior promise and senior excellence.
Hailing from Sundergarh, Odisha, a region synonymous with Indian hockey, Toppo’s journey mirrors that of many grassroots talents early exposure, limited resources, and gradual progression through institutional support systems. From playing with bamboo sticks to representing India at junior and senior levels, her rise has been steady rather than rushed. The HIL provided her with something invaluable: sustained minutes against international-quality opposition in a high-pressure, televised environment.
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Tactically, the league also offered important insights into the evolving nature of women’s hockey in India. While penalty corners and drag-flick specialists like Agustina Gorzelany, the tournament’s top scorer, remained influential, teams that succeeded consistently were those capable of scoring from open play and defending transitions effectively. SG Pipers’ balanced goal distribution and disciplined defensive structure stood out in this regard.
The presence of franchises like Ranchi Royals added a strong local dimension to the league. Backed by passionate home support, the Royals played an expansive brand of hockey and finished third, also receiving the Fairplay Award. JSW Soorma Hockey Club, though finishing bottom, continued to invest in long-term rebuilding, ensuring the league retained its developmental focus alongside competitive ambition.
Beyond results, the Hero Women’s HIL 2025–26 demonstrated that women’s hockey in India now possesses the structural backing to sustain growth. Rising auction values for Indian players, meaningful prize money, and consistent exposure to international standards are reshaping career trajectories. For national selectors, the league has become a vital assessment platform, reducing the gap between domestic and international performance.
In the end, the season’s legacy extends beyond SG Pipers lifting the trophy. It lies in the validation of a system that rewards trust in youth, values tactical clarity, and provides financial and competitive security. The rise of Sunelita Toppo is not an isolated success story but a signal of what is possible when infrastructure, opportunity, and talent align. The 2025–26 season may well be remembered as the point where women’s hockey in India moved decisively from promise to performance.
