Kalinga Lancers rise to the top in Men’s Hockey India League standings
Vedanta Kalinga Lancers moved to the top of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 men’s points table after clinching a dramatic 3-1 shootout win over HIL GC following a 1-1 draw at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on January 11. The Lancers’ Ajeet Yadav put his side ahead before Alexander Hendrickx levelled, and Dilpreet Singh sealed the shootout triumph that lifted them into first place.
HIL GC sit second with 10 points from four games, while Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons and Shrachi Bengal Tigers round out the top four, positioning themselves for a shot at the playoffs later this month.
The league, running since January 3 across venues like Chennai and Ranchi, has seen tight contests and shifting momentum, with teams jostling for crucial points ahead of the knockout stage later in January.
“I’m proud of the team’s resilience in the shootout,” Lancers coach said after the win, highlighting their defensive discipline under pressure. Opponents acknowledged the intensity, noting that every point gained in the round-robin could be decisive for playoff qualification.