Vedanta Kalinga Lancers produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat Ranchi Royals 4–2 in their opening match of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
After conceding twice in the opening quarter, the Lancers showed tactical clarity and attacking efficiency, with Alexander Hendrickx and Gursahibjit Singh scoring two goals each to turn the game decisively in their favour.
Ranchi Royals could not have scripted a better start. Within the first minute, they earned an early penalty corner, and Tom Boon made no mistake, unleashing a powerful drag-flick past the goalkeeper to hand his side an immediate lead. The early goal allowed the Royals to settle quickly, and they enjoyed a strong share of possession in the opening exchanges, pressing high and forcing the Lancers to adjust their defensive structure.
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers responded with maturity. Rather than retreating, they focused on structured build-up and quick transitions, and their approach paid dividends in the seventh minute. A penalty corner was awarded, and Belgian specialist Alexander Hendrickx stepped up to fire in a precise drag-flick, restoring parity and shifting momentum back towards the Lancers.
The contest, however, remained open and end-to-end. Just two minutes later, Ranchi Royals regained the lead through a moment of sharp attacking play. Vishnukant Singh’s incisive first-time pass found Mandeep Singh inside the circle, and the Indian forward showed excellent control in a tight space before finishing calmly to make it 2–1 in the ninth minute.
The remainder of the first quarter saw both teams trade attacking intent. Vedanta Kalinga Lancers experimented with a penalty-corner variation in the 13th minute, with Rosan Kujur coming close, only to see his effort narrowly miss the target. Despite Ranchi’s early goals, signs were emerging that the Lancers were growing into the contest.
That belief translated into goals in the second quarter. Vedanta Kalinga Lancers began with renewed intensity, moving the ball quickly through midfield and attacking the circle with greater numbers. Their persistence paid off in the 16th minute, when Craig Marias displayed fine skill inside the circle, pulling defenders towards him before slipping a perfectly weighted pass to Gursahibjit Singh, who dived in to finish and level the scores at 2–2.
The equaliser visibly lifted the Lancers, who began to dictate tempo and territory. Ranchi Royals struggled to stem the flow as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers struck again in the 26th minute. Dilpreet Singh showed excellent strength and awareness inside the circle, shielding the ball before laying it off to Gursahibjit Singh, who was ideally placed to poach his second goal of the evening and give the Lancers the lead for the first time.
Barely two minutes later, the momentum swung decisively. Another penalty corner was awarded, and once again Alexander Hendrickx delivered, converting with authority in the 28th minute to make it 4–2. The quick double strike ensured Vedanta Kalinga Lancers went into halftime with a commanding two-goal cushion, a remarkable turnaround after conceding twice in the opening nine minutes.
The third quarter saw Ranchi Royals attempt to wrest back control, dominating possession and slowing the game to build sustained pressure. They earned three consecutive penalty corners in the 42nd minute, offering a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit. However, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers’ defensive unit rose to the occasion, executing disciplined runs and blocks to deny the Royals on all three attempts.
At the other end, the Lancers remained a threat on the counter. Cooper Burns came close from a penalty corner, only to be denied by a sharp save from Royals goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, who worked tirelessly to keep his side in contention.
The final quarter developed into a tight, tactical battle. Ranchi Royals pushed numbers forward, searching for a way back into the contest, but Vedanta Kalinga Lancers showed composure and game management well beyond the opening fixture of a long season. Their defensive lines remained compact, interceptions were clean, and errors were kept to a minimum as they absorbed pressure without conceding.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Despite Ranchi’s intent, clear chances proved elusive in the closing stages. The Lancers’ ability to control space and slow the tempo in key moments ensured that the two-goal advantage was never seriously threatened. When the final whistle sounded, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers had secured a statement 4–2 victory, marking an impressive start to their Men’s Hero HIL campaign.
The win underlined the Lancers’ attacking depth and tactical flexibility, particularly their ability to recover from early setbacks and impose themselves through structured penalty-corner execution and intelligent circle play. For Ranchi Royals, the opening quarter showed promise, but lapses in defensive transitions during the second quarter proved costly.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League are being broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, and DD Sports, with live streaming available on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
