HIL GC continued their impressive run in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 with a commanding 6–3 victory over Shrachi Bengal Tigers in a pulsating, high-scoring encounter at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.
Kane Russell starred with a clinical hat-trick, while HIL GC’s attacking efficiency proved decisive in a match that swung in momentum several times but ultimately belonged to the more composed side.
The contest began with both teams locked in a tight midfield battle, neither willing to concede space early on. HIL GC created the first clear opening in the 11th minute when Sudeep Chirmako split the Tigers’ defence with a sharp pass to Ajeet Yadav on the left. Yadav’s shot from a narrow angle beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the post, signalling early intent from HIL GC.
Almost immediately, the Tigers earned sustained pressure of their own, winning four consecutive penalty corners. Though HIL GC defended resolutely, an unfortunate infringement resulted in a penalty stroke, which Shrachi captain Jugraj Singh calmly converted in the 12th minute, sending goalkeeper James Mazarelo the wrong way. HIL GC continued to threaten, with Sam Ward striking the post again in the 14th minute, as the first quarter ended with the Tigers holding a slender lead despite several warning signs.
The second quarter marked a turning point. HIL GC turned the match on its head with two goals in quick succession in the 19th minute. Kane Russell initiated the equaliser with a long ball into the circle, where Sam Ward applied the faintest of touches to guide the ball into the net. Seconds later, Russell stepped up for a penalty corner and unleashed a fierce drag-flick to put HIL GC ahead, shifting the momentum decisively.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers responded with urgency and creativity. Sukhjeet Singh produced a powerful central run in the 28th minute, beating his marker before firing a backhander that struck the crossbar. Despite registering 13 circle penetrations and six shots in the first half, the Tigers went into the break trailing 2–1, having failed to capitalise on their attacking volume.
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HIL GC tightened their grip early in the third quarter. Another penalty corner was awarded five minutes after the restart, and Russell once again delivered with precision, extending both HIL GC’s lead and his tally as the league’s top scorer. Moments later, the advantage grew further when Sudeep Chirmako finished from a tight angle to make it 4–1, capping a dominant spell of attacking hockey.
The Tigers, however, showed resilience. In a dramatic 40th minute, they struck twice in quick succession. Tom Grambusch converted a penalty corner before Christopher Ruhr reacted fastest to a rebound, tapping into an open net to reduce the deficit to 4–3 and reignite the contest. Any hopes of a sustained comeback were curtailed soon after. In the 44th minute, HIL GC earned yet another penalty corner, and Kane Russell completed his hat-trick with another emphatic drag-flick, sealing his second consecutive hat-trick in the league and restoring a two-goal cushion.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers continued to push in the final quarter, even replacing their goalkeeper with an outfield player in search of goals. They earned late penalty corners but were denied by solid goalkeeping from Mazarelo. The risk finally told in the 59th minute when James Albery showed composure and skill down the right flank to tap into an empty net, confirming a 6–3 victory for HIL GC.
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The result underlined HIL GC’s attacking depth and efficiency, while the Tigers were left to rue missed opportunities despite an enterprising performance. All Hero Hockey India League matches are broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, DD Sports, and streamed on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
