New Delhi, Dec 31 (NationPress) As the Men’s Hockey India League (HIL) gears up for the 2026 season, the former finalists, Shrachi Bengal Tigers and Hyderabad Toofans, are poised to commence their journeys with optimism, showcasing a blend of experienced players and promising newcomers.

The Shrachi Bengal Tigers, the defending champions, embark on the new season with the majority of their essential squad retained from the last year. Jugraj Singh, who netted a hat-trick in the final of the previous season, will captain the team, under the guidance of German Head Coach Valentin Altenburg.

They will begin their HIL 2025-26 journey on January 4 against Soorma Hockey Club in Chennai. Veteran goalkeeper James Carr will act as their primary defender, with Vivek Lakra stepping in as his deputy.

Gauthier Boccard, an Olympic gold medallist from 2020 and silver medallist from 2016 with Belgium, will spearhead the defensive line. He will be backed by Jugraj Singh, who was also the leading scorer in last season's Men’s HIL. Additionally, Enrique Gonzalez De Castejon, Tommy Willems, and Parmod will be crucial in maintaining the defensive strength of the Shrachi Bengal Tigers.

The midfield will be led by the German duo of Tom Grambusch and Christopher Rühr, both of whom are two-time Olympic medallists, supported by players like Sean Findlay, Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousuf, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Atul Deep, and Pardeep Singh Sandhu.

Last season’s Player of the Tournament, Sukhjeet Singh, will spearhead the attack alongside Ajinkya Jadhav, Gursewak Singh, and Abhishek. The forward line also features the 14-year-old talent Ketan Kushwaha, the youngest player ever in the tournament.

On the other hand, the Hyderabad Toofans are eager to enhance their performance from last season. As last year's runners-up, they will kick off the new season on January 3rd against the Tamil Nadu Dragons in Chennai. Under the leadership of head coach Pasha Gademan, the team includes a youthful goalkeeping ensemble featuring Jean Paul Danneberg and Bikramjit Singh, who was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Tournament in the last edition of HIL.

Their defense will be anchored by Olympic gold medallist from 2020, Arthur De Sloover of Belgium, alongside players like Amandeep Lakra, Devindar Sunil Walmiki, and promising youngsters Sundram Singh Rajawat and Mukul Sharma.

In the midfield, Nilakanta Sharma brings rich experience, bolstered by Zachary Wallace, an Olympic bronze medallist. Nic Woods and Michel Struthoff will add a mix of experience and vigor, with further assistance from Rajinder Singh, Sumit, and Rahim Aakib Sayyed.

With veteran players like Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Jacob Anderson and Tim Brand from New Zealand leading the forward line, the Hyderabad Toofans possess considerable experience. Shilanand Lakra will inject energy into the attack, alongside Arshdeep Singh, who was recognized as the Upcoming Player of the Tournament last season and scored four goals at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025.

Shrachi Bengal Tigers Squad: Vivek Lakra, James Carr (New Zealand), Tommy Willems (Belgium), Gauthier Boccard (Belgium), Parmod, Enrique Gonzalez De Castejon, Jugraj Singh (Captain), Christopher Ruhr (Germany), Tom Grambusch (Germany), Sean Findlay (New Zealand), Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousuf, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Atul Deep, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Ajinkya Jadhav, Ketan Kushwaha, Gursewak Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek.

Hyderabad Toofans Squad: Jean Paul Danneberg (Germany), Bikramjit Singh, Mukul Sharma, Amandeep Lakra, Devindar Sunil Walmiki, Arthur De Sloover (Belgium), Sundram Singh Rajawat, Nilakanta Sharma, Sumit, Zachary Wallace (Great Britain), Rajinder Singh, Michel Struthoff (Germany), Nic Woods (New Zealand), Rahim Aakib Sayyed, Tim Brand (New Zealand), Shilanand Lakra, Irengbam Rohit Singh, Talwinder Singh, Jacob Anderson (New Zealand), Arshdeep Singh.