Vedanta Kalinga Lancers edge Ranchi Royals 3-2 to lift Men’s Hero HIL title

Bhubaneswar, Jan 26 (UNI): Vedanta Kalinga Lancers produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat Ranchi Royals 3-2 in a thrilling final and clinch the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) title in front of a packed home crowd at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

Belgian ace 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 scored in the 9th minute and captain Tom Boon struck late in the 59th minute, but the Royals fell short of forcing an equaliser.

The match began at a frenetic pace with both sides creating early circle entries. Lancers drew first blood when Hendrickx fired home a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner in the fourth minute. The Royals responded swiftly as Araijeet Singh Hundal controlled a cross-field lob from Yashdeep Siwach and finished clinically to restore parity.

The second quarter proved decisive. Dilpreet Singh capitalised on a rebound from a saved penalty corner to give the hosts the lead, before Hendrickx struck again two minutes later with a fierce drag-flick into the top corner, giving Lancers a 3-1 cushion at half-time.

Ranchi Royals dominated possession in the second half and mounted sustained pressure. They came close on several occasions, but Lancers goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak produced a series of outstanding saves, including a spectacular stick stop in the 54th minute.

The Royals finally pulled one back in the 59th minute through Tom Boon’s low drag-flick from a penalty corner, but time ran out as the Lancers held on to secure the prestigious title.

In the prize distribution, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers received INR 3 crore as champions, while Ranchi Royals took home INR 2 crore as runners-up. Hyderabad Toofans, who finished third, were awarded INR 1 crore. HIL GC won the Fairplay Award.

Individual knows went to Prince Deep Singh (Best Goalkeeper), Talem Priyobarta (Upcoming Player), Tom Boon (Top Scorer with 19 goals), and Amandeep Lakra (Hero Player of the Tournament).

The victory marked a memorable triumph for Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in front of their home supporters, capping off a high-quality season of the revived Hockey India League.