Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers for emerging as champions of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26, after they clinched an exciting 3-2 victory over Ranchi Royals in a thrilling final played in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Odisha’s capital on Monday.
“Congratulations to the Kalinga Lancers team. The Hockey India League that we organised was very successful. There has always been support for hockey from our side, and there will continue to be,” Majhi told the reporters.
The CM also highlighted the state’s longstanding commitment to the sport, noting Odisha’s role in hosting major events and fostering hockey talent.
The Lancers, who had dominated much of the tournament by topping the league stage with 16 points and showcasing the league’s strongest defence, conceding the fewest goals, delivered a commanding performance. Goals from Alexander Hendrickx (in the 4th and 27th minutes) and Dilpreet Singh (25th minute) propelled them to the lead, with Hendrickx’s brace proving particularly decisive. The Ranchi Royals fought back valiantly, with Araijeet Singh Hundal scoring in the 9th minute and captain Tom Boon pulling one back from a penalty corner in the 59th minute, but it was not enough to overturn the deficit.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey praised the league’s global standing during post-match comments. “Hockey India League is the World’s best league. The top players of the top team in the World played in this league. This has been a great platform for young players. The Odisha government provided a lot of support for this tournament,” he told ANI.
The tournament concluded with a substantial prize pool distributed by Hockey India: Rs 3 crore for the champions Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Rs 2 crore for runners-up Ranchi Royals, and Rs 1 crore for third-placed Hyderabad Toofans, who had secured their position by defeating HIL GC earlier on the final day.
