Ranchi, Jan. 12 -- Ranchi Royals secured their first win of the Men's Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26 season in spectacular fashion, defeating defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers 4-1. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Royals staged a massive late-game comeback, scoring four times in the final six minutes to snatch all three points, as per a release.

The match started with the Bengal Tigers showing exactly why they are the defending champions. They used a high-press strategy to keep Ranchi under pressure and won their first penalty corner in just the 2nd minute, though they failed to convert. Ranchi's Sam Lane looked sharp early on, creating a chance in the 5th minute that resulted in a penalty corner, but his shot ...