Hockey India League 2026: Ranchi Royals and Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons Gear Up for Action
Hockey India League 2026 Approaches
As the 2026 season of the Hockey India League (HIL) approaches, both the Ranchi Royals and Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons are establishing distinct tactical frameworks. The Royals are focusing on speed, adaptability, and aggressive transitions, while the Dragons are prioritizing a robust defensive strategy supported by elite goalkeeping and effective penalty-corner execution, as per a recent announcement.
Ranchi Royals: A New Franchise with a Dynamic Approach
Entering the league as the latest franchise, the Ranchi Royals have taken over from the previous Team Gonasika. They have assembled a team that emphasizes midfield versatility and rapid field movement. The squad is captained by Manpreet Singh, who recently became the second Indian to achieve over 400 international caps.
Strategic Partnerships and Defensive Strength
Under the guidance of Head Coach Harendra Singh, the Royals have paired Manpreet with Belgium's Tom Boon, the 2025 FIH Player of the Year, forming a midfield duo capable of dictating match tempo. To bolster their defense, the Royals have recruited Belgian defender Maxime Van Oots and Australian Tim Howard, alongside seasoned Indian defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess. In the offensive line, they will depend on Mandeep Singh's finishing skills and the speed of young forward Araijeet Singh Hundal. The Ranchi Royals will kick off their season on January 4 against the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons: Building on Last Year's Success
The Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons are looking to build on their semifinal appearance in 2025 by emphasizing strong circle defense and set-piece effectiveness. Captain Amit Rohidas, recognized as one of the most reliable defenders globally, leads a team that features one of the league's top goalkeeping units. Ireland's David Harte, a two-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, teams up with Prince Deep Singh, who showcased his skills during the shootouts at the 2025 Junior World Cup.
Offensive Threats and Season Opener
In terms of offense, the Dragons will continue to rely on Australia's Blake Govers, known for his penalty-corner prowess. He is supported by Mohammed Raheel Mouseen in midfield and Germany's Paul Kaufmann, who brings structure and discipline to the team. The Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons will begin their season at home on January 3 against the Hyderabad Toofans, looking to capitalize on their home advantage.
Team Rosters
Ranchi Royals squad includes: Suraj Karkera, Pankaj Kumar Rajak, Amir Ali, Joshua Beltz (Australia), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anmol Ekka, Manpreet Singh, Tom Boon (Belgium), Vishnukant Singh, Yashdeep Siwach, Mustapha Cassiem (South Africa), Araijeet Singh Hundal, Mandeep Singh, Tim Howard (Australia), Maxime Van Oots (Belgium), Ravneet Singh, Manmeet Singh Rai, Jack Waller (England), Sam Lane (New Zealand), Ashish Purti.
Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons squad includes: David Harte (Ireland), Princedeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Paul Kaufmann (Germany), Sander de Wijn (Netherlands), Anand Lakra, Pruthvi GM, Tom Sorsby (Great Britain), Tom Craig (Australia), Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Sheshe Gowda, Chandan Yadav, Arun J, Adrohit Ekka, Sushil Dhanwar, Blake Govers (Australia), Selvam Karthi, Nathan Ephraums (Australia), Uttam Singh, K Selvaraj.