Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were crowned champions of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) after edging past Ranchi Royals 3–2 in a pulsating final at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday, delighting a packed home crowd.
Alexander Hendrickx starred for the Lancers with two penalty-corner conversions in the 4th and 27th minutes, while Dilpreet Singh added a crucial field goal in the 25th minute. For Ranchi Royals, Araijeet Singh Hundal (9’) and captain Tom Boon (59’) found the net in a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful comeback.
Hockey India League announced prize money of ₹3 crore for champions Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, ₹2 crore for runners-up Ranchi Royals and ₹1 crore for third-placed Hyderabad Toofans, who defeated HIL GC earlier in the day. HIL GC were honoured with the Fair Play Award.
In individual honours, Tamil Nadu Dragons goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh was named Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Talem Priyobarta of HIL GC won the Upcoming Player of the Tournament award, with both receiving ₹10 lakh each. Ranchi Royals skipper Tom Boon finished as Top Scorer of the Tournament with 19 goals and earned ₹10 lakh, while Hyderabad Toofans’ Amandeep Lakra was adjudged the Hero Player of the Tournament, receiving ₹20 lakh.
Both sides began the final with high intensity, trading circle entries in an open first quarter. The breakthrough came early when Hendrickx converted back-to-back penalty corners in the 4th minute with a thunderous drag-flick to put the Lancers ahead.
Ranchi Royals responded swiftly. In the 9th minute, Yashdeep Siwach switched play from the left flank to find Araijeet Singh Hundal, who controlled brilliantly before firing home a powerful equaliser.
The second quarter belonged to the Lancers. Sustained pressure earned them a series of penalty corners, and in the 25th minute, Dilpreet Singh reacted quickest to a rebound after Hendrickx’s flick was saved, restoring the lead. Two minutes later, Hendrickx struck again with a sublime drag-flick into the top right corner, giving the hosts a 3–1 advantage at halftime.
Ranchi Royals dominated possession in the third quarter, but the Lancers’ defence stood firm. Captain Tom Boon’s penalty-corner attempt in the 36th minute was blocked, while goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak produced a fine save to deny Hundal in the 45th minute.
The Royals threw everything forward in the final quarter, but Pathak delivered a series of outstanding saves against Sam Lane, Tom Boon and Nilam Sanjeep Xess. Tom Boon finally reduced the deficit in the 59th minute with a low drag-flick from a penalty corner, but time ran out as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers held on to seal a memorable title triumph.
Source: HIL
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