After a strong third-place finish in the inaugural season of the Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL), Shrachi Bengal Tigers enter the 2025–26 campaign with renewed ambition and a squad built to challenge for the title.
As the second season of the league gets underway on December 28, the Tigers appear better balanced, more experienced, and tactically sharper, having retained a solid core and strengthened key areas through astute auction signings.
Continuity has been central to the Tigers’ planning. Retaining experienced Indian internationals such as Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Mahima Choudhary, along with American goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo, ensured a familiar spine before the franchise made its big moves at the mini-auctions. The headline signing was Argentina’s Agustina Gorzelany, secured for INR 42 lakh as the most expensive player of the auction, while Indian midfield mainstay Monika was snapped up for INR 15 lakh, the highest price paid for an Indian player.
In goal, Jennifer Rizzo is expected to once again shoulder the primary responsibility. The 28-year-old USA international impressed in the previous season with her composure and shot-stopping ability, and her familiarity with the squad should prove invaluable. Alongside her, young Indian goalkeeper Aditi Maheshwari offers depth and promise. Fresh from being part of India’s gold medal-winning team at the 2024 Women’s Junior Asia Cup, Aditi will gain vital exposure at the top domestic level.
The Tigers’ defence is arguably their strongest department. The Argentine pairing of Agustina Gorzelany and Valentina Raposo brings world-class pedigree, having featured in Argentina’s silver medal-winning campaign at the Tokyo Olympics and the bronze medal-winning effort at Paris 2024. Gorzelany’s drag-flicking ability and Raposo’s positional intelligence provide both defensive solidity and attacking threat from the back.
Adding further experience is Gurjit Kaur, one of India’s most prolific defenders. With 137 senior international caps and 146 goals, Gurjit’s presence not only strengthens the backline but also enhances the Tigers’ penalty-corner efficiency. Young defenders Mahima Choudhary and Puja Sahoo complement the unit, offering energy and athleticism while learning alongside established stars.
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The midfield is where Shrachi Bengal Tigers could define their season. Monika’s arrival adds immediate stability and leadership. With 229 senior caps for India, she brings a calm presence, tactical awareness, and the ability to control tempo. Partnering her is Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, another seasoned campaigner with 252 caps and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal. Together, they form one of the most experienced midfield duos in the league.
Adding variety and creativity is Netherlands’ Noor de Baat, a technically gifted player who has represented her country across indoor, outdoor, and Hockey5s formats. Her adaptability could prove crucial in high-tempo matches. New Zealand’s Emma Findlay and India’s Manisha Chauhan round off the midfield options, offering balance between international exposure and domestic familiarity.
Up front, the Tigers boast experience and youthful promise in equal measure. Leading the line is Vandana Katariya, Indian women’s hockey’s most capped player with 320 senior appearances. A Padma Shri awardee, Vandana remains a reliable goal-scorer and an inspirational figure for younger teammates. Lalremsiami, with 177 caps and medals at the Youth Olympics and Commonwealth Games, adds further experience and versatility in attack.
The forward unit also features emerging Indian talent. Sukhveer Kaur and Purnima Yadav arrive with experience from the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup, while Lalrinpuii, who featured in the 2024 Women’s Junior Asia Cup, continues her progression at the senior level. Argentina’s Victoria Manuele and Netherlands’ Sosha Benninga bring additional international flair, while Anjali Gautam of Madhya Pradesh is widely regarded as one of the rising stars of Indian women’s hockey.
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Guiding this talented roster is former Indian men’s hockey legend and Arjuna Award winner Deepak Thakur, who takes charge as head coach. His experience as both a player and coach will be vital as the Tigers look to turn promise into consistency.
The Tigers will open their campaign against JSW Soorma Hockey Club on December 29 in Ranchi, a fixture that will immediately test their cohesion. Their biggest strength lies in a formidable defensive core led by Olympic medallists and experienced Indian internationals, giving them a strong spine across the field. However, building quick midfield chemistry among new recruits and ensuring consistent finishing from a relatively young forward line could be their main challenges.
With depth, experience, and clear ambition, Shrachi Bengal Tigers enter the Women’s Hero HIL 2025–26 as genuine title contenders, ready to take the next step after last season’s promising run.
