As the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) gears up for the 2026 season, Shrachi Bengal Tigers and Hyderabad Toofans, the previous finalists, are set to kick off their campaigns with a mix of experienced players and rising talents. The reigning champions, Shrachi Bengal Tigers, led by Jugraj Singh and coached by Valentin Altenburg, will start their season against Soorma Hockey Club on January 4 in Chennai. Meanwhile, Hyderabad Toofans, last season’s runners-up, will begin their season on January 3 against the Tamil Nadu Dragons, aiming to build on their previous performance.
Gauthier Boccard, an Olympic gold and silver medallist, will anchor the defensive unit for Shrachi Bengal Tigers, supported by a strong lineup including Enrique Gonzalez De Castejon and Tommy Willems. The midfield will be led by the German duo of Tom Grambusch and Christopher Rühr, both Olympic medallists, with a supporting cast of talented players. Sukhjeet Singh, last season’s Player of the Tournament, will spearhead the team’s attack, complemented by a mix of experienced and young players.
Hyderabad Toofans, under head coach Pasha Gademan, will rely on a youthful goalkeeping squad featuring Jean Paul Danneberg and Bikramjit Singh. The team’s defensive line will be anchored by Olympic gold medallist Arthur De Sloover, supported by a mix of experienced and upcoming talents. In the midfield, Nilakanta Sharma and Zachary Wallace bring their expertise, while the forward line will be led by seasoned players like Jacob Anderson and Tim Brand, supported by energetic talents like Shilanand Lakra and Arshdeep Singh.
