After two weeks of intense competition and uncompromising battles, the inaugural Women’s Hero Hockey India League is set to reach its defining moment in Ranchi on Saturday.
SG Pipers and Shrachi Bengal Tigers will face off in the final at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium, with the promise of a new champion being crowned in what has already been a landmark season for women’s domestic hockey in India.
The 2025–26 edition of the Women’s Hero HIL has featured 12 league matches and 37 goals, offering a compelling mix of attacking flair, tactical discipline, and emerging Indian talent alongside experienced internationals. The stakes for the Final are significant, both symbolically and financially. The champions will receive ₹1.5 crore, while the runners-up will take home ₹1 crore. Ranchi Royals, who finished third after narrowly missing out on a place in the final, will be awarded ₹50 lakh.
Individual excellence will also be recognized, with the Hero Player of the Tournament earning ₹20 lakh. Awards for Best Goalkeeper, Upcoming Player and Top Scorer of the Tournament will each carry a prize of ₹5 lakh, while the Fairplay Trophy will honor the team that best embodied the spirit of the game throughout the season.
Two Consistent Sides, One Final Goal
The Final brings together two teams with contrasting journeys but similar ambition. SG Pipers topped the league stage with 11 points, edging out the competition with consistency and balance. Shrachi Bengal Tigers finished close behind with 10 points, courtesy of two wins in regulation time and two shootout victories, just ahead of Ranchi Royals, who ended on nine points.
Interestingly, the Tigers hold the psychological edge in head-to-head encounters. The two finalists met twice during the league stage, with both matches ending level at full time. In the first encounter, a thrilling 3–3 draw was followed by a 4–3 shootout win for the Tigers. The second meeting was a goalless stalemate, with Shrachi Bengal Tigers again prevailing in the shootout, this time by a 7–6 margin.
Yet, beyond the shootout results, the broader statistics lean in favour of SG Pipers.
SG Pipers: From Bottom to the Brink of Glory
SG Pipers have arguably been the most complete side in the tournament. They finished as the second-highest goal scorers with 11 goals, bettered only by Ranchi Royals. Captain Navneet Kaur has led from the front, scoring four goals and providing direction during key phases of matches. Support has come from Spain’s Lola Riera with three goals, while Sunelita Toppo has added two. Jyoti Singh and Maria Teresa Vianaache have also contributed to the scoresheet, underlining the Pipers’ spread of attacking responsibility.
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Defensively, SG Pipers have been equally impressive, conceding just nine goals in the league stage, the second-best defensive record of the tournament. Their ability to control games, particularly in tight situations, has been central to their table-topping finish.
Reflecting on the team’s remarkable turnaround, captain Navneet Kaur highlighted the significance of their journey. “From finishing at the bottom of the table last season to topping the table this year, the comeback has been special,” she said. “We’ve played fearless hockey throughout the tournament, and the team is confident and hungry to finish on a high.”
Shrachi Bengal Tigers: Resilience and Experience
Shrachi Bengal Tigers arrive in the final with momentum built on resilience rather than volume of goals. They have scored seven goals in the tournament so far, five of which have come off the stick of penalty corner specialist Agustina Gorzelany. Lalremsiami has added two goals, but much of the Tigers’ success has come from grinding out results rather than overwhelming opponents.
Their defensive record, however, remains an area of concern. The Tigers have conceded 11 goals in the league stage, and tightening up at the back will be crucial if they are to lift the title. Leadership will be key, and with Vandana Katariya captaining the side, experience will not be in short supply.
Speaking ahead of the final, the Tigers’ skipper emphasized belief and unity. “Our coach made it clear from the start that we were here to fight for the title,” she said. “We’ve grown with every game, bonded well as a team, and now it’s about staying consistent and delivering when it matters most.”
With SG Pipers’ structured approach and attacking depth set against Shrachi Bengal Tigers’ resilience and shootout pedigree, the final promises to be a closely fought contest. For women’s hockey in India, the occasion goes beyond the trophy. It marks the culmination of a season that has showcased quality, competitiveness, and the growing strength of the domestic ecosystem.
As the lights come on in Ranchi on Saturday evening, one thing is certain: the Women’s Hero Hockey India League will have a new champion, and with it, a new benchmark for the future of the women’s game in the country.
