Odisha-based Vedanta Kalinga Lancers made a winning start in the 7th Mens Hockey India League (HIL) 2026, defeating Ranchi Royals 4-2 at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai today. Alexander Hendrickx and Gursahibjit Singh scored a brace each for the winners.
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers will next meet Shrachi Bengal Tigers on January 8. HIL-2026, featuring eight teams and 33 matches, is scheduled to conclude at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on January 26. Teams will play seven league matches each and the top four teams will qualify for the knock-out stage.
The first 10 matches will be played in Chennai from January 3 to 9 and the next nine at Jaipal Singh Stadium in Ranchi from January 11 to 16. The last 14 matches, including including two qualifiers, one eliminator and the final will be held at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Four native players are representing Kalinga Lances. Another 12 Odisha players have been included in six different teams.
VEDANTA KALINGA LANCERS TEAM: Jed Snowden (GK), Arthur van Doren (Captain), Cooper Burns, Gursahibjit Singh, Boby Singh Dhami, Dilpreet Singh, Liam Henderson, Krishan Bahadur Pathak (GK), Rohit Kullu, Alexander Hendrickx, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur, Craig Marais, Pratap Lakra, Rosan Kujur, Antoine Kina, Deepak Pradhan, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Amit Kumar Toppo, Sanjay Rana (Captain), Angad Bir Singh.
Team Staff: Jason John Mark Stacy (Head Coach), Pascal Kina & BJ Kariappa (Assistant Coaches), Subbaiah Anjaparavanda (Manager), Boddhisattva Dass (Physiotherapist), Damanpreet Singh Sial (Physical Trainer).
ODISHA PLAYERS IN OTHER TEAMS: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anmol Ekka (both Ranchi Rohals); Amit Rohidas, Anand Lakra, Sushil Dhanwar, Adrohit Ekkal (all Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons); Sudip Chirmako, Prasant Barla (Both HIL Governing Council); Amandeep Lakra, Shilanand Lakra (both Hyderabad Toofans); Pradip Mandal (JSW Soorma Hockey Club); Vivek Lakra (Shrachi Bengal Tigers);
VEDANTA KALINGA LANCERS PERFORMANCE:
January 4: Vedanta Kalinga Lancers (Alexander Hendrickx 7-PC, 28-PC, Gursahibjit Singh 16-FG, 26-FG) beat Ranchi Royals (Tom Boon 1-PC, Mandeep Singh 9-FG) 4-2.
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PHOTO: File picture of Vedanta Kalinga Lancers team.