The second season of the Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) did far more than crown a new champion it offered a glimpse into the future of Indian women’s hockey.
Played in an environment that brought together elite international professionals and India’s rising domestic talent, the league became a proving ground for young Indian players eager to test themselves against the very best.
For several players, that opportunity turned into a breakthrough. Their performances across the season were strong enough to earn them a place in the ongoing senior Indian women’s national coaching camp under Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, a crucial step as India builds towards the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifier Hyderabad Telangana 2026 scheduled for March.
Among the many who featured in the league, five emerging Indian players stood out not only for their consistency but also for the way they handled pressure, responsibility, and tactical demands at the highest domestic level.
Lathantluangi (Ranchi Royals): A defensive cornerstone
At just 20, Lathantluangi quietly became one of the most reliable defenders in the tournament. Playing for Ranchi Royals, she was part of a defensive unit that finished the league with the best defensive record, conceding only seven goals across the season. That statistic alone speaks volumes.
What separated Lathantluangi from many of her peers was her composure. She showed a mature understanding of positioning, rarely diving into tackles unnecessarily, and often reading the danger early enough to cut out attacks before they developed. Beyond her defensive work, her ability to distribute the ball from the back helped Ranchi Royals transition quickly into attack, giving the team an extra dimension in build-up play.
Her calmness under pressure and her tactical discipline have made her a natural fit for the national camp, where the demands on defenders are even higher.
Every tournament produces moments that define careers, and for Bansari Solanki, that moment came in the Women’s Hero HIL Final. With the match tied 1–1 after regulation time, SG Pipers turned to Solanki for the shootout. What followed was a masterclass in nerve and shot-stopping. She produced three crucial saves, including one from a penalty stroke, to guide her team to a 3–2 shootout victory over Shrachi Bengal Tigers and secure the league title. That performance alone would have been enough to earn attention, but it was backed up by her consistency throughout the season.
Sharing duties with Argentine international Cristina Cosentino, Solanki showed maturity well beyond her 24 years, finishing the tournament as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Her inclusion in the national camp is both deserved and timely as India searches for long-term solutions between the posts.
Sonam (JSW Soorma Hockey Club): A forward growing into her role
Sonam continues to build on the promise she showed in the first season of the Women’s HIL. The 20-year-old forward, who won the Upcoming Player of the Tournament award last year, faced a tougher challenge this season as JSW Soorma struggled in attack, scoring just six goals in total.
Yet Sonam remained a bright spark. She scored one of those rare field goals and consistently provided attacking intent, pressing defenders and making intelligent runs off the ball. More importantly, she showed that she could adapt to the physicality and tactical demands of senior hockey, a crucial step for any player transitioning from junior to elite level.
Her recall to the senior camp reflects her continued growth and the faith the selectors have in her long-term potential.
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For Shilpi Dabas, the Women’s Hero HIL represented a long-awaited opportunity to show that her domestic form could translate to the elite stage. A regular standout in national championships, Dabas brought the same discipline, positional awareness, and decision-making to SG Pipers’ title-winning campaign.
She was a pillar in defence, rarely caught out of position and comfortable playing both in deep defence and in a higher pressing structure. Her ability to remain composed under sustained pressure was vital in tight matches, particularly during the latter stages of the tournament.
Her selection for the national camp marks a significant career milestone and recognises the value of consistent domestic performance.
Hina Bano (JSW Soorma Hockey Club): A midfielder with control
Midfield is where games are often won and lost, and Hina Bano showed she belongs at the highest level. At 21, she displayed a calm, controlled presence in the middle of the park for JSW Soorma Hockey Club, using intelligent positioning and clean passing to maintain tempo and possession.
Hina’s work rate, combined with her ability to stay composed under pressure, stood out in a league filled with experienced international midfielders. Her performances suggested a player ready to take on greater responsibility, and her inclusion in the senior camp signals the coaching staff’s belief in her readiness for international competition.
With 29 players currently in camp at SAI Bengaluru, the Women’s Hero Hockey India League has once again proven its importance as a talent pipeline. For Lathantluangi, Bansari Solanki, Sonam, Shilpi Dabas, and Hina Bano, the league was not just another tournament it was a gateway to the next stage of their international careers.
