As the Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 season approaches, the Ranchi Royals and Tamil Nadu Dragons are solidifying their tactical identities. The Royals are focused on speed, versatility, and attacking transitions, while the Dragons prioritize a strong defensive setup backed by top-notch goalkeeping and dependable penalty-corner strategies.
Ranchi Royals’ Formation
The Ranchi Royals enter the league as the latest franchise, taking the place of the former Team Gonasika. They have created a lineup that emphasizes flexibility in midfield and rapid movement across the field.
The team is captained by Manpreet Singh, who recently became only the second Indian player to achieve 400 international caps. Under Head Coach Harendra Singh, the Royals have paired Manpreet with Belgium’s Tom Boon, the 2025 FIH Player of the Year, forming a dynamic midfield partnership that can control match tempo.
Defensively, the Royals have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Belgian defender Maxime Van Oots and Australia’s Tim Howard, alongside the experienced Indian defender Nilam Sanjeep Xess.
In terms of attack, the Royals will depend on Mandeep Singh’s finishing prowess and the speed and strength of young forward Araijeet Singh Hundal. Their campaign kicks off on January 4 against Vedanta Kalinga Lancers at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai.
Tamil Nadu Dragons’ Strategy
On the other hand, the Tamil Nadu Dragons are building upon their 2025 semifinal finish with a focus on circle defense and efficient set plays. Captain Amit Rohidas, known as one of the most reliable defenders in global hockey, leads a team that includes one of the strongest goalkeeping units in the league. Ireland’s David Harte, a two-time FIH Goalkeeper of the Year, will combine forces with Prince Deep Singh, who demonstrated his skills in shoot-outs at the 2025 Junior World Cup.
Offensively, the Dragons count on Australia’s Blake Govers, whose penalty-corner effectiveness poses a consistent threat. He is ably supported by Mohammed Raheel Mouseen in midfield and Germany’s Paul Kaufmann, who adds structure and discipline to the team’s play. The Tamil Nadu Dragons will launch their season at home on January 3 against Hyderabad Toofans, aiming to maximize their home advantage.
Ranchi Royals Squad: 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.
Tamil Nadu Dragons Squad: 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.