Six matches into the revived Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26, the standings already tell a compelling story.
In a short, high-pressure league where only the top two teams qualify directly for the final, every point carries disproportionate value. As the table begins to take shape in Ranchi, it is becoming increasingly clear that the title race will not be decided by star names alone, but by efficiency, defensive discipline and the ability to manage tight situations .
At the top of the standings sit the Delhi SG Pipers with seven points from three matches. Close behind are the Ranchi Royals on six points, followed by the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers with five. At the bottom, JSW Soorma Hockey Club remain winless and scoreless after three outings. The narrow spread at the top underlines the competitive balance of this season, while the gap at the bottom highlights how unforgiving the format can be.
The Pipers’ position at the summit is a reflection of consistency rather than dominance. With two regulation wins and one shootout loss, Delhi have avoided the single most damaging outcome in this league: a regulation defeat. Their goal difference of +3 may not be the best, but their ability to close out matches has given them an early edge. In a points system where shootouts still reward one point to the losing side, damage control has become a vital skill, and no team has executed it better so far than the Pipers.
The Ranchi Royals, in contrast, boast the most eye-catching numbers. Seven goals scored and just two conceded give them a league-best goal difference of +5. Their emphatic 5–0 win over the Bengal Tigers remains the most dominant performance of the season. Yet that single opening-day loss to the Pipers keeps them second in the table. It is a reminder that in this format, one off-day can negate even the most impressive attacking display.
For the Royals, the standings underline both opportunity and risk. They have shown they can overwhelm opponents with pace and depth, but their margin for error is slim. With only three matches remaining, every dropped point could prove fatal in the race for a top-two finish.
The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers occupy a fascinating middle ground. With five points, they are well within reach of the final despite a negative goal difference of –4. This statistical imbalance reveals the Tigers’ defining trait: volatility. On one hand, they suffered a heavy defeat against Ranchi. On the other, they held their nerve in a dramatic 3–3 draw against the Pipers and claimed the bonus point in the shootout. That single result has kept them firmly in contention.
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From a standings perspective, the Tigers are living proof of how shootouts can reshape a league table. Without that bonus point, they would already be drifting away from the top two. Instead, they remain a genuine threat, especially given their strength in penalty corners. However, reliance on shootouts is a dangerous strategy. With only one regulation win so far, the Tigers know they must start collecting full three-point victories if they are to control their own destiny.
At the bottom of the table, JSW Soorma Hockey Club’s situation is stark. Zero points, zero goals scored, and three regulation losses have left last season’s runners-up staring at early elimination. What makes their position particularly striking is that their underlying play has not been disastrous. Soorma have dominated possession, created circle entries, and won penalty corners in multiple matches, but the standings do not reward intent only outcomes.
In a league where just two teams advance, the table is brutally honest. Soorma’s failure to convert chances has rendered their statistical dominance meaningless. To climb back into contention, they would likely need to win all remaining matches in regulation time while hoping for favourable results elsewhere a scenario that now borders on improbable.
Beyond individual team fortunes, the standings also highlight the strategic reality of this HIL season. Defensive solidity and set-piece efficiency have emerged as decisive factors. Teams that protect their circle and convert limited chances are being rewarded, while those who play expansive hockey without end product are being punished.
The Delhi SG Pipers’ lead is built on exactly this principle. They have conceded just three goals in three matches and shown the ability to absorb sustained pressure. Ranchi’s strong goal difference reflects their attacking firepower, but their position below Delhi shows that defence in key moments can outweigh attacking flair. Bengal’s reliance on penalty corners keeps them competitive, but their heavy concession rate remains a concern. Soorma’s plight illustrates the ultimate lesson: without goals, possession counts for nothing.
As the league moves into its decisive phase, the standings suggest a tense finish. The upcoming clash between the Pipers and the Royals could effectively determine who controls the top spot. Meanwhile, the Tigers will view every remaining match as a must-win. For Soorma, pride and professionalism may soon replace qualification as the primary motivation.
In many ways, the table perfectly captures the spirit of the revived Women’s HIL. There is little room for complacency, no safety net of playoffs, and no hiding place for inefficiency.
The standings are not just a reflection of who has played well, but of who has adapted best to the league’s unforgiving structure. As the final week approaches, the table will not merely record results; it will decide legacies.
