In a stunning reversal of fortunes, the Ranchi Royals secured their first victory of the Hockey India League season by demolishing the defending champions Bengal Tigers with four goals in the dying minutes. The match, played on January 11, 2026, at the Royals' home ground, ended 4-1, marking a third consecutive loss for the struggling Tigers.
Royals' Remarkable Six-Minute Blitz
The game was a tense affair for the first three quarters. The deadlock was broken in the 26th minute by Ketan Kushwaha, the league's youngest player, who deftly deflected an Abhishek tomahawk into the net. Bengal Tigers carried their 1-0 lead deep into the final quarter, with goalkeeper James Carr making a crucial save from Royals captain Tom Boon just before halftime to preserve the advantage.
However, the match turned on its head in a breathtaking six-minute spell. The comeback was ignited by Tom Boon, the FIH Player of the Year for 2025. In the 54th minute, Boon won possession, played a swift one-two, and slammed a precise reverse hit past Carr to equalize.
The floodgates opened immediately. Just two minutes later, Mandeep Singh put the Royals ahead with another superb reverse hit. Desperate for an equalizer, the Tigers pulled their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player. This move backfired spectacularly as Lachlan Sharp (58') and Tom Boon (60') capitalized on the empty net to seal a spectacular 4-1 victory for the roaring home crowd.
Lancers Edge HIL GC in Shootout Thriller
Earlier in the day, a top-of-the-table clash between Kalinga Lancers and HIL GC lived up to its billing at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium. The teams were locked at 1-1 after regulation time, with Ajeet Yadav (19') scoring for Lancers and Alexander Hendrickx (23') replying for HIL GC.
The match proceeded to a shootout, where substitute goalkeeper Jed Snowden emerged as the hero for the Lancers. Snowden came off the bench specifically for the shootout and made multiple critical saves to secure a 3-1 shootout victory for his team. A key defensive stat from the game was that the Lancers did not concede a single penalty corner throughout the contest.
League Standings and Implications
The results have significant implications for the HIL points table. The shootout win propelled Kalinga Lancers to the top position. HIL GC, by virtue of earning a point from the draw, moved into second place.
For the Bengal Tigers, the loss extends a worrying poor start to their title defense. This third straight defeat will raise serious questions about their campaign. Meanwhile, the Ranchi Royals have announced themselves as serious contenders with a comeback that will be remembered for its sheer drama and clinical finishing, masterminded by their star captain Tom Boon.
