Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers were crowned Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) champions after edging past Ranchi Royals 3–2 in a gripping final at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Monday, sending home fans into raptures.
The title clash saw Alexander Hendrickx score twice in the 4th and 27th minutes, while Dilpreet Singh (25’) added another to seal the Lancers’ victory. Ranchi Royals fought back valiantly through goals from Araijeet Singh Hundal (9’) and skipper Tom Boon (59’), but fell just short in a pulsating contest.
Both sides began the final with attacking intent, creating multiple circle entries in the opening quarter. Vedanta Kalinga Lancers struck early after earning back-to-back penalty corners, with Hendrickx converting a powerful dragflick in the fourth minute to give his side the lead. The Royals responded swiftly, equalising in the ninth minute when Yashdeep Siwach switched play from the left flank to find Hundal, who controlled brilliantly before finishing past the goalkeeper.
The second quarter proved decisive as the Lancers turned the game in their favour with two quick goals. Sustained pressure earned them a series of penalty corners, forcing the Royals deep into their own half. In the 25th minute, Hendrickx’s dragflick was initially saved by goalkeeper Suraj Karkera, but Dilpreet Singh reacted sharply to score off the rebound. Just two minutes later, Hendrickx struck again, firing a fierce dragflick into the top right corner to give the Lancers a 3–1 lead at half-time.
Ranchi Royals dominated possession in the third quarter and pushed hard for a comeback. Captain Tom Boon came close from a penalty corner in the 36th minute, but his effort was blocked by the first rusher. The Royals continued to attack relentlessly, with Hundal nearly scoring again in the 45th minute, only to be denied by an excellent save from Lancers goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak.
The final quarter saw the Royals go all out in attack. Pathak produced a series of outstanding saves against Sam Lane, Tom Boon and Nilam Sanjeep Xess, including a breathtaking stick save in the 54th minute. The Royals finally reduced the deficit in the 59th minute when Boon converted a penalty corner with a low dragflick, but they were unable to find the equaliser before the final whistle, as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers sealed a memorable title triumph.
Following the final, the Hockey India League announced a prize purse 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 received the Fair Play Award.
Among individual honours, Prince Deep Singh of Tamil Nadu Dragons 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 captain Tom Boon, the tournament’s top scorer with 19 goals, was also awarded ₹10 lakh, while Amandeep Lakra of Hyderabad Toofans was crowned Hero Player of the Tournament, earning ₹20 lakh.
