HIL: Hockey India League: From Champions Bengal Tigers To Revamped SG Pipers, A Quick Guide To All 8 Teams

SG Pipers

After a poor season without a single outright win under Graham Reid, SG Pipers enter the season after an overhaul of their leadership and squad. The franchise, with Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh as Director of Hockey, have named Tim Oudenaller as Head Coach. Captain Jarmanpreet Singh, an Indian defensive mainstay with 142 senior international caps, will lead the backline alongside drag-flick specialist Varun Kumar, who has amassed 142 caps and scored 39 goals.

The team also boasts of veteran Rupinder Pal Singh to add further expertise in set-pieces. In goal, the Pipers will rely on Argentine veteran Tomás Santiago. The midfield has been reinforced with the inclusion of Wales’ Jacob Draper, while the attack will be spearheaded by Argentina’s Tomás Domene, who has scored 41 senior international outdoor goals. One of the key players to watch is young forward Dilraj Singh, who emerged as a breakout star at the 2025 Junior World Cup. The team also has the Junior World Cup captain Rohit as a defensive dragflicking option.

Indians: Pawan, Rupinder Pal Singh, Varun Kumar, Manjeet, Rohit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Ankit Pal, Raj Kumar Pal, Thokchom Kingson Singh, Shamsher Singh, Aditya Lalage, Dilraj Singh, Sourabh Anand Khushwaha

Overseas: Tomas Santiago (ARG), Bram Van Battum (NED), Gareth Furlong (GBR), Willott Ky (AUS), Jacob Draper (GBR), Tomas Domene (ARG), Roman Duvekot (BEL)

Shrachi Bengal Tigers

Shrachi Bengal Tigers, the defending champions, head into the new season with most of their core squad retained from last season. Jugraj Singh, the hat-trick hero from last season’s Final will lead the team this time around, with German Head Coach Valentin Altenburg at the helm. The vastly experienced goalkeeper James Carr will be their first line of defence with Vivek Lakra playing second fiddle to him. Gauthier Boccard, an Olympic Gold medallist in 2020 and Silver medallist in 2016 with Belgium will be trusted to marshal the defensive unit alongside Jugraj Singh, who was also the top-scorer last year.

The two-time Olympic medallist German duo of Tom Grambusch and Christopher Rühr will anchor the midfield with support from the likes of Sean Findlay, Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousuf, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Atul Deep and Pardeep Singh Sandhu. Last season’s Player of the Tournament, Sukhjeet Singh, will be spearheading the team’s attack with Ajinkya Jadhav, Gursewak Singh, and Abhishek. Tigers’ forward line also consists of 14-year-old prodigy Ketan Kushwaha, the youngest player in the history of the tournament.

Indians: Vivek Lakra, Parmod, Jugraj Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousuf, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Atul Deep, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Ajinkya Jadhav, Ketan Kushwaha, Gursewak Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek

Overseas: James Carr (New Zealand), Tommy Willems (Belgium), Gauthier Boccard (Belgium), Enrique Gonzalez (ESP), Christopher Ruhr (Germany), Tom Grambusch (Germany), Sean Findlay (New Zealand)

JSW Soorma Hockey Club

Soorma enter the 2026 season with the aim of building on its third-place finish from the previous edition. Under the guidance of Head Coach Philippe Goldberg and mentor Sardar Singh, the team has retained a strong leadership core that emphasises discipline and circle dominance. Leading the side is the world’s premier drag-flicker, Harmanpreet Singh, who recently completed a landmark 250 international caps. Guarding the goal will be Belgian legend Vincent Vanasch, a three-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year with over 270 international appearances.

The defensive unit is further strengthened by Australian powerhouse Jeremy Hayward, who brings more than 230 caps and 121 goals to the backline. Midfield control will be anchored by Belgium’s Victor Wegnez, a former European Player of the Tournament, alongside India’s Vivek Sagar Prasad. In attack, Soorma will bank on the experience of Akashdeep Singh, traded from UP Rudras, and the pace of South African forward Dayaan Cassiem.

Indians: Mohith HS, Gurinder Singh, Pradip Mandal, Sukhvinder, Harmanpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Jeet Pal, Akashdeep Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Harjeet Singh, Pawan Rajbhar, Maninder Singh, Gurjant Singh

Overseas: Vincent Vanasch (BEL), Nicolas Della Torre (ARG), Jeremy Hayward (AUS), Victor Wegnez (BEL), Nicolas Poncelet (BEL), Nicolas Keenan (ARG), Dayaan Cassiem (RSA)

Ranchi Royals

Ranchi Royals enter the league as the newest franchise, replacing the former Team Gonasika. The team is led by Manpreet Singh, who recently became only the second Indian player to cross 400 international caps. Under Head Coach Harendra Singh, the Royals have paired Manpreet with Belgium’s Tom Boon, the 2025 FIH Player of the Year, creating a midfield partnership capable of controlling the tempo of matches.

Defensively, the Royals have strengthened their backline with the additions of Belgian defender Maxime Van Oots and Australia’s Tim Howard, alongside experienced Indian defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess. In attack, the Royals will rely on the finishing ability of Mandeep Singh and the pace and power of young forward Araijeet Singh Hundal.

Indians: Rajak Pankaj Kumar, Suraj Karkera, Purti Ashish Tani, Ravneet Singh, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anmol Ekka, Amir Ali, Vishnukant Singh, Yashdeep Siwach, Manpreet Singh, Manmeet Singh Rai, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Mandeep Singh

Overseas: Joshua Beltz (AUS), Van Oots Maxime (BEL), Tim Howard (AUS), Jack Waller (GBR), Mustaphaa Cassiem (RSA), Tom Boon (BEL), Sam Lane (NZL)

Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons

Led by captain Amit Rohidas, one of the most dependable defenders in world hockey, the Dragons boast one of the strongest goalkeeping groups in the league. Ireland’s David Harte, a two-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, is joined by Prince Deep Singh, who impressed in shootouts at the 2025 Junior World Cup. In attack, the Dragons continue to rely on Australia’s Blake Govers, whose penalty-corner conversion makes him a constant threat. He is supported by Mohammed Raheel Mouseen in midfield and Germany’s Paul Kaufmann. Tim White is the head coach.

Indians: Prince Deep Singh, Anand Lakra, Pruthvi G M, Amit Rohidas, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Chandan Yadav, Shesha Gowda, Arun J, Sushil Dhanwar, Adrohit Ekka, Selvaraj Kanagaraj, Selvam Karthi, Uttam Singh

Overseas: David Harte (IRE), Sander de Wijn (NED), Tom Craig (AUS), Blake Govers (AUS), Paul Kaufmann (GER), Thomas Sorsby (GBR), Nathan Ephraums (AUS)

Hyderabad Toofans

Hyderabad Toofans will be hoping to go one step further as compared to their previous campaign. The runners-up from last season have Pasha Gademan returning as their head coach, and the team boasts a young goalkeeping group with Jean Paul Danneberg and Bikramjit Singh, who was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament in the last edition. Olympic Gold medallist in 2020, Belgium defender Arthur De Sloover will be their pillar in defence with support from the likes of Amandeep Lakra and Devindar Sunil Walmiki, along with young players such as Sundram Singh Rajawat and Mukul Sharma. In the heart of the midfield, Nilakanta Sharma adds an abundance of experience with Olympic Bronze medallist Zachary Wallace also in their ranks. Nic Woods and Michel Struthoff add a mix of experience and exuberance, along with Rajinder Singh, Sumit and Rahim Aakib Sayyed.

With the likes of Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Jacob Anderson and New Zealand’s Tim Brand in the forward line, the Hyderabad Toofans have enough experience up front. Shilanand Lakra will bring some dynamism to the mix, as will Arshdeep Singh, who was the Upcoming Player of the Tournament last season and also made his mark with four goals at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025. They will however miss out on the goals from Gonzalo Peillat, the star drag flicker out due to injury.

Indians: Bikramjit Singh, Mukul Sharma, Amandeep Lakra, Devindar Walmiki, Sundram Singh Rajawat, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit Walmiki, Rajinder Singh, Rahim Aakib Sayyed, Shilanand Lakra, Irengbam Rohit Singh, Talwinder Singh, Arshdeep Singh

Overseas: Jean Paul Danneberg (GER), Arthur de Sloover (NED), Zachary Wallace (GBR), Michel Struthoff (GER), Nic Woods (AUS), Tim Brand (AUS), Jacob Anderson (AUS)

Vedanta Kalinga Lancers

After scoring plenty and conceding plenty in a rollercoaster season, Kalinga Lancers will need defensive solidity as they look to improve on their last season’s sixth-place finish. In goal, the Lancers have options in India’s No. 1 goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak and Australia’s Jed Snowden. Their defence is headlined by a high-profile Belgian trio, with Co-Captain Arthur Van Doren, Alexander Hendrickx and Antoine Kina bringing elite-level experience, complemented by Co-Captain Sanjay, whose leadership and dragflicking ability remain central to the team’s plans. Players such as Sunil PB, Pratap Lakra and Rohit Kullu add further solidity to the backline. The midfield features Australia’s young duo of Liam Henderson and Craig Marias supported by India’s Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Amit Kumar Toppo and Rosan Kujur. Up front, the Lancers boast a dynamic attacking unit featuring some of India’s finest attackers in Dilpreet Singh, Boby Singh Dhami, Angad Bir Singh and Gursahibjit Singh joined by Australia’s Cooper Burns.

Indians: Krishan B Pathak, Sunil PB, Pratap Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Sanjay, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Amit Kumar Toppo, Rosan Kujur, Gursahibjit Singh, Angad Bir Singh, Deepak Pradhan, Dilpreet Singh, Boby Singh Dhami

Overseas: Jed Snowden (AUS), Antoine Kina (BEL), Arthur Van Doren (BEL), Alexander Hendrickx (BEL), Craig Marais (AUS), Liam Henderson (AUS), Cooper Burns (AUS)

HIL Governing Council

Ahead of the auction, the HIL Governing Council took over operations from the UP Rudras franchise. Hardik Singh will continue to lead the team, with Vikram Pillay named head coach. James Mazarelo of England and Prashant Kumar Chauhan are their goalkeeping optins, while the defensive unit will be spearheaded by seasoned campaigners such as Surender Kumar with 178 international caps and Kane Russell with over 200 senior caps for New Zealand. James Albery of Great Britain and India’s Prasant Barla, Jasjit Singh Kular, Mohammad Harris and Talem Priyobarta add further depth to the backline.

In midfield, Captain Hardik Singh will anchor the unit alongside Manmeet Singh who recently scored six goals in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup on home soil. Rahul Yadav and Ireland’s experienced midfielder Daragh Walsh will join them in the middle of the park. The attacking line-up includes proven performers such as Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and British forward Sam Ward who have scored 67 and 216 senior international goals respectively. Gurjot Singh, Sudeep Chirmako, Ajeet Yadav, Belgium’s Tanguy Cosyns and New Zealand’s Simon Yorston will add further firepower.

Indians: Prashant Kumar Chauhan, Jasjit Singh Kular, Mohammad Haris, Surender Kumar, Prasant Barla, Talem Priyobarta, Hardik Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rahul Yadav, Ajeet Yadav, Sudeep Chirmako, Gurjot Singh, Lalit Upadhyay

Overseas: James Mazarelo (GBR), James Albery (GBR), Kane Russell (NZL), Daragh Walsh (IRE), Simon Yorston (NZL), Sam Ward (GBR), Tanguy Cosyns (BEL)

Where to watch Hockey India League?

All matches of the Hockey India League will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports. The matches will also be live-streamed on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.

What about tickets for Hockey India League?

Tickets for HIL across the venues are free and available on Ticket Genie portal.