Women's Hockey India League: Squads, streaming details, all you need to know

The wait is finally over as the Women's Hockey India League is all set to start from Sunday, January 12 in Ranchi. 4 teams will be battling it out for the title in the first season of the competition which is expected to be a gamechanger for women's hockey.

In Short

• Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club and Odisha Warriors will face off in Women's HIL
• The opening match will see Delhi SG Pipers face Odisha Warriors
• The final of Women's HIL will be played on January 26

The wait is over as the inaugural Women's Hockey India League is set to kick off at the iconic Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Hockey Stadium in Ranchi. Known for hosting prestigious events like the FIH Olympic Qualifiers and the Women's Asian Champions Trophy, the stadium is ready to welcome fans for the grand celebration. Enthusiastic supporters are expected to fill the stands to witness their favorite stars in action. All four teams are geared up for the competition, with the opening match of this historic league taking place on Sunday, January 12, 2025, between the Delhi SG Pipers and Odisha Warriors.

The men's edition of the HIL and its return has seen the sport get a new lease of life in India and the women's competition is expected to be a gamechanger. The captains of the 4 teams have expressed their excitement for the competition and also commented on why their sides could be contenders for the title this time around.

Hockey India League: Full coverage

What the captains said

Navneet Kaur, Delhi SG Pipers:

"We are very excited that the Women's HIL is finally starting and we (Delhi SG Pipers) are getting to play the first match. The entire team is looking forward to a good game tomorrow. Compared to other teams, I believe we are quite a young squad and there will be a lot of learnings from them and they will also have a lot to learn as the league progresses. We have prepared really well and will take it match-by-match."

Neha Goyal, Odisha Warriors:

"HIL brings great financial stability for players particularly those who are yet to make the Indian team. This league will certainly inspire more youngsters to look at hockey as a career option and make their dreams come true."

Udita, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers:

"It is the best platform. We are getting to play alongside some of the best players in the world. Previously, we would only play against them but now we have an opportunity to watch them closely, how they prepare for matches, their mindset and we also get to make friends with them. We are getting to learn a lot from everyone involved in the team. Also, this is a great opportunity for upcoming generation of players to showcase their talent and try to make their way into the national team."

Salima Tete, Soorma Hockey Club:

"Our target is to inspire more youngsters to come up in the sport by showcasing best hockey on the field during the HIL. Introducing HIL for women is one of the best initiatives by Hockey India and this has garnered a lot of interest in the sport as well. I can see there is a lot of excitement here in Jharkhand to come and watch matches. My family is also coming here to watch the matches live, we I look forward to a good league and we will do our best. I urge all the hockey fans in the state to come and support us."

Savita Punia, Soorma Hockey Club:

"From the success of the men's team over the past decade, we have seen how important HIL can be for us. We want to express our gratitude to Hockey India for this initiative to introduce women's HIL. Top players from top teams are getting to share the dressing room, dining room and sharing our ideas and thoughts on the sport. This helped Men's hockey a lot in terms of taking their game to the next level and I believe it will have a lot of impact on women's team as well."

Women's Hockey India League: Squads

Delhi SG Pipers

Defenders: Emma Puvrez (Belgium), Jyoti Singh, Stephanie De Groof (Belgium), Giselle Anne Ansley (Great Britain), Miri Maroney (Australia), Elizabeth Ann Neal (Great Britain)

Midfielders: Manisha Chauhan, Xan Gerdien De Waard (Netherlands), Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Manisha, Manashri

Forwards: Sunelita Toppo, Sangita Kumari, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Mumtaz Khan, Ishika, Geeta Yadav, Charlotte Watson (Great Britain), Preeti Dubey, Himanshi Sharad Gawande

Goalkeepers: Bichu Devi Kharibam, Elodie Picard (Belgium), Bansari Solanki

Odisha Warriors

Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Claire Colwil (Australia), Jyoti Chhatri, Anjali Barwa, Lilly Paulin Stoffelsma (Germany), Deep Grace Ekka

Midfielders: Neha Goyal, Yibbi Jansen (Netherlands), Kaitlin Jaye Nobbs (Australia), Baljeet Kaur, Sonika, Victoria Sauze (Argentina), Nisha, Nandni

Forwards: Freeke Georgette Marie (Netherlands), Annu, Rituja Dadaso Pisal, Sakshi Rana, Kanika Siwach, Michelle Fillet (Netherlands), Sadhna

Goalkeepers: Jocelyn Bartram (Australia), Madhuri Kindo, Engil Harsha Rani Minz

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers

Defenders: Udita, Upton Roisin (Ireland), Elena Neill (Ireland), Marina Lalramnghaki, Mahima Choudhary

Midfielders: Eva Roma Maria de Goede (Netherlands), Sarah Hawkshaw (Ireland), Jyothi Edula, Munmuni Das, Binima Dhan, Huda Khan, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Shilpi Dabas

Forwards: Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dung Dung, Ambre Ballennghien (Belgium), Kathryn Mullan (Ireland), Lalrinpuii Pachuav, Priyanka Wankhede, Vandana Patel

Goalkeepers: Grace O Hanlon (New Zealand), Jennifer Rizzo (USA), Vidyashree V

Soorma Hockey Club

Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Preeti, Penny Squibb (Australia), Anna Toman (Great Britain)

Midfielders: Salima Tete, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Nike Lorenz, Maria Verschoor, Hina Bano, Jimena Maria Cedras (Argentina), Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, Ajmina Kujur

Forwards: Sharmila Devi, Charlotte Englebert (Belgium), Charlotte Stapenhorst (Germany), Deepika Soreng, Sonam, Upasana Singh, Amanpreet Kaur

Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Nidhi, Natalia Salvador (Chile)

Women's Hockey India League: Schedule

• 12 Jan 2025: Delhi SG Pipers vs Odisha Warriors – 08:40 PM
• 13 Jan 2025: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Soorma Hockey Club – 06:00 PM
• 14 Jan 2025: Delhi SG Pipers vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – 06:00 PM
• 15 Jan 2025: Odisha Warriors vs Soorma Hockey Club – 06:00 PM
• 16 Jan 2025: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Odisha Warriors – 06:00 PM
• 17 Jan 2025: Delhi SG Pipers vs Soorma Hockey Club – 08:15 PM
• 19 Jan 2025: Odisha Warriors vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – 06:00 PM
• 20 Jan 2025: Soorma Hockey Club vs Delhi SG Pipers – 06:00 PM
• 21 Jan 2025: Soorma Hockey Club vs Odisha Warriors – 06:00 PM
• 22 Jan 2025: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers vs Delhi SG Pipers – 06:00 PM
• 23 Jan 2025: Odisha Warriors vs Delhi SG Pipers – 06:00 PM
• 24 Jan 2025: Soorma Hockey Club vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – 06:00 PM
• 26 Jan 2025: Finals – 08:15 PM

All timings are in IST.

Women's Hockey India League: Streaming details

The Hockey India League will be broadcast live in India on DD Sports and the Sony Sports Network, including Sony Ten 1, Sony Ten 1 HD, Sony Ten 3, Sony Ten 3 HD, Sony Ten 4, and Sony Ten 4 HD channels.

Fans can also catch the livestreaming on the Sony Liv and Waves OTT platforms.