The Hero Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 was more than just another domestic tournament. Staged in Ranchi between December 28, 2025, and January 10, 2026, it became a statement of intent for Indian women’s hockey a league that now combines competitive credibility, commercial seriousness, and a genuine pathway for elite performance.
At the center of this transformation stood Navneet Kaur, whose leadership and all-round influence powered the Delhi SG Pipers to a maiden league title and earned her the Hero Player of the Tournament award.
For the SG Pipers, the season represented a dramatic reversal of fortunes. Having finished bottom in the previous edition, the franchise entered 2025–26 with a clear mandate: rebuild structurally, trust Indian talent, and compete with tactical clarity. Under head coach Sofie Gierts and team director PR Sreejesh, the Pipers adopted a defense-first philosophy that allowed their attacking players greater freedom in transition. The results were immediate and decisive.
Navneet Kaur emerged as the fulcrum of this approach. With over 200 international caps to her name and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal already in her cabinet, Kaur brought authority, calm, and adaptability to the Pipers’ setup. Rather than operating as a conventional forward, she was given license to drift across the attacking line, drop into midfield, and dictate tempo depending on match situations. Her four goals in the league phase told only part of the story; it was her ability to knit together defense and attack that made the Pipers so difficult to contain.
The Pipers’ turnaround was built on defensive solidity. Conceding just nine goals across the league stage the second-best record in the tournament they showcased a level of organization rarely seen in previous editions. The presence of Lola Riera and Udita Duhan at the back provided both composure and structure, enabling the team to absorb pressure before launching quick counters. This balance allowed Navneet Kaur to operate higher up the pitch without exposing the defensive line.
Offensively, the Pipers were efficient rather than explosive. They finished as the second-highest scorers in the league phase, but crucially, goals came from multiple sources. Alongside Kaur’s four strikes, Riera contributed from penalty corners, while young midfielder Sunelita Toppo chipped in with important goals and tireless running between the lines. The spread of responsibility underlined a collective identity rather than reliance on individual brilliance.
The league itself reflected a notable rise in competitive parity. Unlike earlier seasons dominated by one or two sides, the 2025–26 campaign saw all four teams remain in contention deep into the league phase. Shrachi Bengal Tigers, driven by the drag-flicking excellence of Agustina Gorzelany, emerged as the Pipers’ primary rivals. The Tigers beat the Pipers twice in shootouts during the round-robin stage, establishing a psychological edge heading into the final.
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That final, played on January 10, became a fitting climax to the season. Shrachi Bengal Tigers struck first through Lalremsiami, controlling long phases of the contest. But the Pipers’ resilience, a defining trait of their campaign, came to the fore in the fourth quarter. Preeti Dubey’s deflected equalizer forced the match into a shootout, where composure finally swung the balance in favor of the Pipers.
In the shootout, Navneet Kaur once again set the tone, converting her attempt with assurance. Alongside goals from Juana Castellaro and Lola Riera, and inspired goalkeeping from Bansari Solanki, the Pipers sealed a 3–2 shootout win to clinch their first HIL title. Solanki’s performance across the tournament earned her the Best Goalkeeper award, further underlining the Indian core that defined the champions.
Beyond results, the 2025–26 season carried significant commercial and cultural weight. Prize money of ₹1.5 crore for champions and ₹1 crore for runners-up marked a step change in how women’s hockey is valued domestically. Individual awards, including ₹20 lakh for the Player of the Tournament reinforced the league’s role as a viable professional platform rather than a symbolic competition.
Viewership and engagement figures reflected this shift. The league recorded a sharp rise in broadcast and digital consumption, driven by a storytelling approach that placed players like Navneet Kaur at the center of the narrative. For young athletes watching across the country, the visibility of leadership figures and emerging stars offered tangible role models within the Indian system.
For Indian hockey, the implications are clear. The Hero Women’s HIL is no longer just a domestic showcase; it is becoming a critical performance ecosystem that complements the national program. Navneet Kaur’s season encapsulated that evolution: a senior international using experience not just to perform, but to elevate those around her.
As the league looks ahead, the 2025–26 edition will be remembered as the moment when structure, leadership, and belief aligned. And at the heart of it was a captain who understood that winning titles is as much about responsibility and clarity as it is about goals and glory.
