The second edition of the Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) is living up to its promise of being fiercely competitive, as demonstrated by Ranchi Royals' commanding 5-0 victory over Shrachi Bengal Tigers on Tuesday. The emphatic win, coupled with results from the opening matches, strongly suggests the four-team league phase could be wide open and highly unpredictable this season.
Royals' Local Flavor Powers Dominant Display
The match, held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi, saw the Royals deliver a complete performance. They set the tone early, with Hannah Cotter opening the scoring in the 10th minute. The team's strategic focus on local talent was vividly on display as Jharkhand's own Beauty Dungdung found the net in the 14th minute.
This was followed by a brace from Lucina von der Heyde (33', 57') and a goal from another local star, Sangita Kumari in the 44th minute. The Royals, who replaced the previous champions Odisha Warriors, had built their squad around players from the hockey-rich region of Simdega, including Deepika Soreng and Nikki Pradhan, making them feel truly at home despite the absence of a formal home-and-away format.
League Standings Reflect Competitive Balance
After three matches of the 2025 season, a fascinating pattern has emerged. Three teams have secured one win each. Ranchi Royals bounced back strongly after an opening loss to SG Pipers. The Shrachi Bengal Tigers, despite the heavy defeat, had won their first match. SG Pipers also started with a victory.
The only team without a win, Soorma Hockey Club, has ironically played some of the most attractive, attacking hockey. Their profligacy, particularly in wasting 13 penalty corner opportunities against the Tigers, cost them dearly in a narrow opening loss. This balance of results, where every team has shown both significant strength and notable vulnerability, points to a league where any team can beat any other on a given day.
Key Players and Absences Shape the Narrative
The tournament dynamics have been significantly influenced by player availability and individual brilliance. The absence of Dutch superstars, who are considered the benchmark in global women's hockey, has leveled the playing field, making outcomes less predictable.
For the Tigers, the prowess of Argentine drag-flicker and captain Agustina Gorzelany remains their trump card, though she was stifled by the Royals' defense, earning just one penalty corner. Indian international Lalremsiami, the match-winner in their opener, will be crucial. SG Pipers will rely on captain Navneet Kaur and a returning Deepika, while Soorma HC, with coach Jude Menezes and assistant Rani Rampal, must fix their penalty corner conversion to complement their fluent forward play.
An Unpredictable Finish on the Cards?
The early evidence from WHIL 2025 suggests fans are in for a thrilling ride. With no team appearing flawless, and each squad possessing match-winners capable of single-handedly changing games, the league phase is poised to be intensely competitive. The 5-0 victory might make Ranchi Royals early favorites, but the narrow margins in other games indicate the title race could very well go down to the wire. The combination of stellar individual talent, tactical intrigue, and the missing Dutch contingent has created a perfect recipe for an unpredictable and exciting season of women's hockey in India.
