Ranchi, Jan 13: Defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding 5–3 victory over Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons in the ongoing Hero Hockey India League (Men) 2026 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday.
Captain Jugraj Singh led from the front, scoring a brilliant hat-trick, as the Tigers climbed from seventh to fourth place in the points table. Goals from Sukhjeet Singh (33′) and Abhishek (55′) further strengthened the Tigers’ charge, while Adrohit Ekka (36′), Thomas Sorsby (48′) and Blake Govers (51′) found the net for the Dragons.
Jugraj became only the second player in the league to score a hat-trick this season, after Kane Russell of HIL GC, who has three hat-tricks to his name so far.
The Tigers started aggressively, creating early chances through Abhishek. Their pressure paid off in the 11th minute when the Dragons conceded a penalty stroke. Jugraj kept his nerve, firing a low and powerful shot past veteran goalkeeper David Harte to give his side a 1–0 lead.
Despite sustained efforts from the Dragons, led by Uttam Singh, the second quarter ended goalless. Tigers head coach Valentin Altenburg was visibly dissatisfied at half-time, urging his side to sharpen their execution.
The response was emphatic in the third quarter. A slick move involving Tommy Willems and Abhishek set up Sukhjeet Singh, who doubled the lead in the 33rd minute.
Although Adrohit Ekka pulled one back from a penalty corner three minutes later, Jugraj struck twice in quick succession in the 43rd and 45th minutes, completing his hat-trick and putting the Tigers firmly in control at 4–1.
The final quarter saw a spirited fightback from the Dragons as Sorsby and Govers scored within three minutes to narrow the margin. However, the Tigers held their nerve in a tense finish. A crucial penalty corner in the 55th minute saw Abhishek score via a clever deflection off Tom Grambusch’s drag-flick, sealing a well-earned 5–3 victory.
Source: HIL
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