Ranchi, Jan 11 (NationPress) After leading SG Pipers to victory in the Women’s Hockey India League 2025-26, team captain and Player of the Tournament Navneet Kaur shared insights about the squad's composure during the shootout and their determination in the final match. This season marked a remarkable turnaround for the team, climbing from the bottom rank in the previous edition to crowned champions this year.

In the championship game, SG Pipers triumphed over the Bengal Tigers 3-2 in a shootout after a 1-1 tie during regular time. Despite earlier shootout defeats against the Bengal Tigers, Navneet emphasized that the team stayed focused on their game plan in crucial moments.

“We had already strategized our approach. Despite past shootout losses, we chose to disregard them. Bansari Solanki prepared extensively, which helped us anticipate their players’ attacking strategies,” she noted.

Discussing their late-game resurgence, Navneet remarked on the unwavering belief within the group. “We created numerous chances in the first half. We refused to concede defeat until the final whistle. We had previously scored late goals in the season, instilling confidence that our hard work would yield results. Mutual trust and faith propelled us forward,” she explained.

Reflecting on the season, Navneet highlighted the importance of consistency and clarity. “From the onset of the tournament, we adhered to our initial plans. We had a clear vision of our team dynamics and objectives from the camp and auction stages,” she stated.

The 29-year-old, who emerged as SG Pipers’ top scorer with four goals, added, “Last season’s last-place finish was disheartening. Immediately after, we began strategizing for the next season, aiming for a stronger team with more options. Our planning is evident in our performance this season.”

For her outstanding contributions, Navneet was honored with the Player of the Tournament title and awarded Rs 20 lakh in prize money.