Synopsis
In an exciting final, Jugraj Singh's hat-trick led Bengal Tigers to a 4-3 victory over Hyderabad Toofans in the Hockey India League 2024-25, crowned champions at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium.Key Takeaways
- Jugraj Singh scored a hat-trick to secure the title.
- Bengal Tigers won the Hockey India League 2024-25 championship.
- The final match ended with a score of 4-3 against Hyderabad Toofans.
- The match took place at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium.
- The Tigers received INR 3 crore as prize money.
Rourkela, Feb 1 (NationPress) Jugraj Singh netted a hat-trick as Bengal Tigers overcame Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the final match, securing the championship of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25. This thrilling season concluded in front of a packed crowd at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
The match saw German penalty-corner specialist Gonzalo Peillat (9’, 39’) and Amandeep Lakra (26’) score for the Toofans, while Jugraj Singh (25’, 32’, 35’) and Same Lane (54’) scored for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers to clinch the title.
With this win, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers took home the INR 3 crore prize, while the Hyderabad Toofans received INR 2 crore for their runner-up finish.
The match was a nail-biter from the outset, with both teams testing each other's defenses. The Tigers utilized aerial passes frequently, resulting in a penalty corner just four minutes into the game, but the Toofans thwarted three attempts at goal from Jugraj Singh. As the quarter progressed, the Toofans gained momentum and earned a penalty corner, which Gonzalo Peillat converted to give his team an important lead.
As the second quarter unfolded, the Toofans maintained their offensive pressure while the Tigers countered occasionally. With six minutes remaining in the quarter, Abhishek earned a penalty corner for the Tigers, which Jugraj Singh expertly converted to equalize. The Toofans quickly responded with a penalty corner of their own, allowing Amandeep Lakra to reclaim the lead for his team.
The Tigers slowed the game down to create clear scoring opportunities in the third quarter, leading to another penalty corner. Jugraj Singh delivered another powerful drag flick to level the scores once more.
Shortly thereafter, Jugraj Singh completed his hat-trick with another drag flick from a penalty corner, giving the Tigers a 3-2 advantage. However, the Toofans quickly retaliated, earning a penalty corner, which Peillat converted to equalize again at 3-3. Both teams traded chances as the quarter ended, but neither could take the lead.
The Tigers began the final quarter aggressively, securing several penalty corners, but Tim Brand was quick to defend. After a period of careful probing, they earned another penalty corner, and Sam Lane scored, putting the Tigers ahead with just six minutes left in the match.
The Toofans rushed to find an equalizer, resulting in yet another penalty corner; however, Jamie Carr blocked Peillat’s attempt. The Tigers managed to run down the clock in the final minutes, securing their victory in the Final.
Men's Hockey India League Award Winners:
- Men’s Hockey India League 2025 Fairplay Award (Team) - UP Rudras
- Men’s Hockey India League 2025 Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Bikramjit Singh, Hyderabad Toofans
- Men’s Hockey India League 2025 Upcoming Player of the Tournament - Arshdeep Singh, Hyderabad Toofans
- Men’s Hockey India League 2025 Top Scorer of the Tournament - Jugraj Singh, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers
- Men’s Hockey India League 2025 Player of the Tournament - Sukhjeet Singh, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.
