The Kalinga Lancers, known for their thrilling performances last season, kicked off their Hockey India League 2026 campaign on a winning note, securing an encouraging 4-2 victory against the Ranchi Royals at the start of the new season. The match, played on January 4, 2026, saw braces from star drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickx and forward Gursahibjit Singh power the Lancers to a comeback win after an early scare.
Royals' Fast Start Overshadowed by Lancers' Comeback
The Ranchi Royals exploded out of the gates, taking a shock lead within the first minute of play. Forward Araijeet Singh Hundal, making a strong return from injury, won an early penalty corner. From the set-piece, 2025 FIH World Player of the Year Tom Boon fired a powerful shot past Lancers goalkeeper Krishan Pathak with just 40 seconds on the clock. The Royals doubled their lead in the ninth minute when Mandeep Singh finished from close range after a fluid passing move, exposing defensive concerns for the Lancers early on.
This shaky start mirrored the Lancers' struggles from the previous season, where a potent attack was often let down by a leaky defense. However, the script flipped dramatically in the second quarter.
Hendrickx and Gursahibjit Steal the Show
The Lancers showcased their attacking pedigree and a newfound defensive solidity, scoring three unanswered goals before halftime to seize control of the match. The comeback was led by their two goal-scorers. Belgian ace Alexander Hendrickx demonstrated his world-class drag-flicking ability, converting penalty corners in the 7th and 28th minutes to level the scores and then extend the lead.
Equally impressive was Indian forward Gursahibjit Singh, who netted two well-taken field goals from close range in the 16th and 26th minutes. His finishing turned the 1-2 deficit into a commanding 4-2 lead by the midway point of the match. The second half saw the Lancers manage the game with maturity, controlling proceedings and shutting down Royals' attempts to mount a comeback, a promising sign for new head coach Jay Stacy.
Defensive Improvement a Key Takeaway
Speaking before the season, Lancers co-captain Arthur van Doren had emphasized the need to tighten the team's defense, particularly in penalty corner situations. The opening match provided positive signs on that front. Despite conceding six penalty corners, the Lancers' defense, marshaled by Pathak, restricted the Royals to just one goal from those set-pieces. This disciplined performance would have pleased the leadership and could be a cornerstone for a more successful campaign this year.
For the Harendra Singh-coached Ranchi Royals, the bright spots were the early goals from Boon and Mandeep, and the promising flashes shown by Araijeet Singh Hundal. However, their inability to sustain the early pressure cost them the match.
Defending Champions Bengal Tigers Start with Win
In the other opening match of the Hockey India League 2026, the defending champions Bengal Tigers began their title defense with a solid 3-1 win over Soorma Hockey Club. In a contest featuring Indian drag-flick legends Harmanpreet Singh and Jugraj Singh as captains, neither managed to score.
The Tigers broke the deadlock in a cagey match through Sukhjeet Singh in the 33rd minute. Abhishek then scored the goal of the night with a sensational reverse hit from the left channel, its sheer velocity stunning veteran goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch. Gursewak Singh added a third in the 60th minute. Soorma's lone consolation came from Prabhjot Singh in the 54th minute. The Tigers' controlled performance sets them up as strong contenders once again.
The opening day of HIL 2026 has set an exciting tone, with the Kalinga Lancers showing they have the firepower and, crucially, improved structure to challenge for the top honors this season.
