Pipers look to topple Tigers in High-Stakes WHIL final

The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the Women’s Hockey India League as SG Pipers and Shrachi Bengal Tigers prepare to face off in the final at Ranchi on Saturday. After two weeks of intense action featuring 12 matches, both teams have emerged as the cream of the competition, promising an exciting battle for the top prize.

The winner of the league will pocket Rs 1.5 crore , while the runner-up will take home Rs 1 crore . The Ranchi Royals , who finished third, will be awarded Rs 50 lakh .

Both finalists displayed consistent performances throughout the season, with playing styles that are competitive yet similar. SG Pipers topped the league table, while Shrachi Bengal Tigers secured the second spot. Interestingly, the two teams met twice during the league stage, and on both occasions, the Tigers edged past the Pipers in penalty shootouts. Their first encounter ended in a 3-3 draw , with the Tigers winning the shootout 4-3 . In the second match, a goalless draw was followed by a 7-6 shootout victory for the Tigers.

Despite these head-to-head results, the overall statistics favour the Pipers. They are the second-highest scorers in the tournament, with 11 goals , just behind Ranchi Royals’ 13. Captain Navneet Kaur has been in fine form, scoring four goals so far, supported by Lola Riera (3) and Sunelita Toppo (2) . Jyoti Singh and Maria Teresa Vianaache have also contributed to the scoreboard. Defensively, the Pipers are solid, having conceded only nine goals in the group stage, giving them the second-best defensive record in the league.

Reflecting on the season, Navneet Kaur said, “It’s been an incredible campaign for us. From finishing at the bottom last season to topping the table this year, the journey has been special. We’ve played fearless hockey, and our goal now is to finish on a high.”

On the other hand, Shrachi Bengal Tigers have scored seven goals in the tournament, with five coming from penalty corner specialist Agustina Gorzelany . Led by Vandana Katariya , the Tigers bring a wealth of experience and are determined to overcome the Pipers in the final.

Saturday promises a gripping finale as the two best teams in the WHIL battle it out for the coveted trophy and the bragging rights of being India’s top women’s hockey side.