Vedanta Kalinga Lancers Dominate SG Pipers in Hero Hockey India League Opener

In a thrilling opener of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League, the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers showcased their dominance with a 6-1 victory over SG Pipers. With standout performances from players like Boby Singh Dhami and Alexander Hendrickx, the Lancers extended their winning streak to five matches. The match featured a series of impressive goals and solid defensive plays, particularly from goalkeeper Krishan Pathak. As the Lancers maintain their top position in the standings, the excitement continues with upcoming matches in the league. Read on for a detailed breakdown of this exhilarating encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 18, 2026, 01:55 IST

Lancers Secure a Convincing Win

Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) [India] January 17: The Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, currently leading the table, kicked off the Bhubaneshwar segment of the Men’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) with an impressive 6-1 triumph over SG Pipers, as reported by a local source.

Competing at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium on Saturday, the Lancers extended their winning streak to five matches, establishing themselves as the team to beat this season.

Boby Singh Dhami earned the Player of the Match title for his exceptional playmaking, which kept the Pipers' defense under constant pressure. Cooper Burns (8', 23') and Alexander Hendrickx (39', 56') each netted two goals, while Craig Marais (10') and Angad Singh (54') contributed one goal each to the scoreline. KY Williot managed to score the lone goal for the Pipers.

The match commenced with the Lancers dominating possession and displaying confident ball movement. Their efforts bore fruit in the 8th minute when Cooper Burns scored to give his team an early lead.

Just two minutes later, a well-executed passing play allowed Craig Marais to double the lead. The Pipers quickly responded, with skipper Jarmanpreet Singh assisting KY Williot, who scored in the 11th minute to narrow the gap to 2-1. Despite the Pipers earning a late penalty corner, the Lancers' defense held strong, concluding the first quarter in the lead.

In the second quarter, the Pipers came out aggressively, seeking an equalizer. However, the Lancers' defense, led by goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, remained steadfast. In the 23rd minute, the Lancers capitalized on a turnover, allowing Cooper Burns to score his second goal, extending the lead to 3-1.

The Pipers had a chance to get back into the match with four consecutive penalty corners, but Pathak made a series of remarkable saves to keep the score unchanged as they headed into halftime.

Continuing their push in the third quarter, the Pipers struggled to penetrate the solid Lancers' defense. In the 39th minute, the Lancers earned a penalty corner following a strong offensive run.

Specialist Alexander Hendrickx stepped up and executed a powerful drag-flick into the net, increasing the lead to 4-1. Pipers' attacker Williot attempted to ignite a comeback with a late run into the circle, but once again, Pathak was there to thwart the opportunity.

The final quarter showcased a professional performance from the league leaders. Although the Pipers missed a close-range tap-in in the 52nd minute, the Lancers remained efficient.

Angad Singh scored in the 54th minute, making it 5-1, and just two minutes later, Hendrickx netted his second penalty corner goal of the match, sealing the 6-1 victory.

This win solidifies the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers' position at the top of the standings. The action continues tomorrow with SG Pipers facing Shrachi Bengal Tigers at 5 pm, followed by the Lancers competing against Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons at 7.30 pm.