Vedanta Kalinga Lancers continued their upward surge in the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Shrachi Bengal Tigers at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Egmore, on Thursday.
A dramatic late strike from Boby Singh Dhami sealed the contest for the Lancers after Affan Yousuf had briefly restored parity for the Tigers, pushing the Odisha-based side up to second place on the league table.
The Lancers began the contest with clear intent, dictating proceedings in the opening quarter through superior ball circulation and territorial dominance. Their midfield pressed aggressively, forcing the Tigers into defensive positions early on. The numbers reflected the pattern of play, with the Lancers registering 11 circle entries in the first quarter compared to just two from the Tigers. Despite the pressure, clear-cut chances were at a premium. James Carr, manning the Tigers’ goal, was called into action on a couple of occasions, while the Lancers earned a solitary penalty corner that failed to yield a breakthrough, leaving the opening quarter goalless.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers regrouped well in the second quarter and began to grow into the contest. They found better rhythm through the middle, using quick interchanges to bypass the Lancers’ press. The Tigers enjoyed a strong second quarter, notching up nine circle entries and testing the Lancers’ defence with four shots on goal. However, Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood firm between the posts for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, producing a series of sharp saves to keep the scores level. His composure and positioning ensured that the Tigers’ resurgence did not translate into goals, as the teams headed into halftime still locked at 0–0.
The third quarter followed a similar pattern, with Shrachi Bengal Tigers carrying forward the momentum they had built before the break. They pushed the Lancers deeper into their own half, probing patiently for openings with intricate passing around the circle. The Lancers, however, showed discipline and structure in defence, closing down angles and denying space inside the shooting circle. Both backlines held their nerve, and despite end-to-end phases, neither side managed to break the deadlock heading into the final quarter.
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The contest finally sprang to life in the fourth quarter. James Carr continued his impressive performance for the Tigers, making a string of saves in the opening minutes to frustrate the Lancers. His resistance was eventually breached in the 52nd minute when Vedanta Kalinga Lancers earned a crucial penalty corner. Alexander Hendrickx stepped up and unleashed a trademark drag-flick that beat Carr cleanly, giving the Lancers a deserved lead after sustained pressure.
The Tigers responded swiftly and showed commendable character. Just four minutes later, Enrique Gonzalez controlled a long aerial ball with precision before slipping a measured pass into the circle. Affan Yousuf was perfectly positioned and made no mistake with a simple tap-in, bringing Shrachi Bengal Tigers back on level terms at 1–1 and setting up a tense finale.
After three goalless quarters, the closing minutes delivered the drama the contest had promised. The Lancers, stung by the equaliser, pushed forward immediately and earned another penalty corner. Carr made the initial save, but the rebound fell kindly for Boby Singh Dhami inside the circle. The forward reacted quickest, firing the ball home from close range in the 57th minute to restore the Lancers’ advantage.
The Tigers threw men forward in the final moments in search of another equalizer, but Vedanta Kalinga Lancers held on with composure to see out the contest and secure all three points. The victory marked their second successive win and propelled them to second place in the standings, underlining their growing confidence and cohesion as the league progresses.
For Shrachi Bengal Tigers, the result was a setback despite a spirited performance, particularly in the middle phases of the game. Their inability to convert periods of dominance into goals proved costly against a Lancers side that made the most of its opportunities in the decisive moments.
The Men’s Hero Hockey India League continues to deliver closely fought encounters, and Thursday’s match was another reminder of the fine margins at this level. All matches of the Hero HIL are being broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports, with live streaming also available on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
