Indian midfielder Hardik Singh has been appointed captain of the HIL Governing Council Team for the upcoming Men’s Hockey India League, set to commence on January 3 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
The HIL Governing Council team has taken over operations from the UP Rudras franchise ahead of the 2026 season to ensure player continuity. They will kick off their campaign on January 5 against SG Pipers.
### Strong Team Composition
Hardik will lead a squad featuring a strong mix of experienced stalwarts, including Lalit Upadhyay, Sam Ward, Surender Kumar, and Kane Rusell. The team will also showcase rising talents from the India Colts, who recently clinched bronze at the FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, such as Gurjot Singh, Manmeet Singh, and Talem Priyoborta.
### Captaincy Remarks
Regarding his new role, Hardik stated, “I am grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to it. It is always exciting to be in a leadership role and take the team along in both highs and lows through the season.”
He added, “We have a strong mix of young players who had a good outing in the Junior World Cup as well as experienced players with several international matches under their belt. We are looking forward to a good season and also gain from the knowledge exchange with foreign players.”
### League Structure
The Men’s Hockey India League 2026 season will consist of eight franchises: Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers (the defending champions), Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and the HIL Governing Council. The league will feature a single round-robin format, comprising 23 league matches, followed by playoffs (Qualifier 1 and Eliminator on January 23; Qualifier 2 on January 25) and a grand final on January 26 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, totaling 33 high-stakes encounters.
### Venue and Schedule
The action kicks off on January 3 at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai (January 3-9), then moves to Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf in Ranchi (January 11-16), before concluding at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar (January 17-26). The tournament will feature Indian stars competing against international players in daily double-headers, creating a thrilling atmosphere that mirrors FIH pressures while enhancing fan engagement through packed venues and themed events.
Please find attached pictures and schedule.