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Hockey India League 2026: Putting behind 2025, SG Pipers set to chart fresh course
Hockey India League 2026: Putting behind 2025, SG Pipers set to chart fresh course
For SG Pipers, last season of the men's Hockey India League was a harsh reality check. Even with Australian Graham Reid, one of the most respected and successful coaches in world hockey at the helm, the team finished last in the table, leaving fans and players alike searching for answers.
This season, the Pipers are trying to turn over a new page. With two-time Olympic bronze medallist P.R. Sreejesh guiding from the sidelines as mentor and Tim Oudenaller of the Netherlands stepping in as head coach, Pipers is charting a fresh course.
Oudenaller, 41, may not have coached a senior national team in his career, but he still brings a wealth of experience. He served as the assistant coach for the Netherlands u‑21 side during the recent FIH Junior Men's World Cup, and his club record is impressive. At HC Kampong, one of the top Dutch clubs in the Hoofdklasse, the Dutch steered his team to the 2023‑24 league title and a Euro Hockey League summit clash in the same season.
With a mix of mentorship, tactical acumen, and European league experience, Pipers will be hoping that the 2025–26 HIL season will be the one in which they literally rise from the ashes.
When the Jarmanpreet Singh-led side takes on Hockey India League Governing Council at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Monday (today) at 7.30 p.m., Oudenaller knows starting on the right note is significant, especially after the season that went by. “A win is important to me, of course. And, what is equally important is the combination between Indian and overseas players. That, for me, is the most important thing,” he said, at a virtual meet with mediapersons on Sunday (January 4, 2026).
Interestingly, in the previous season, official statistics showed that around 45 per cent of the goals in the league came through drag-flicks, underlining the growing influence of penalty corners in modern hockey.
For Pipers, the burden largely fell on Argentina's Tomás Domene, who finished with eight goals, and Wales' Gareth Furlong, who shared the responsibility. While the two specialists did their job reasonably well, support from the rest never quite materialised.
That shortcoming has perhaps shaped the thinking of new head coach, Oudenaller, whose reputation is built on defensive organisation and structural discipline. This season, Pipers have placed renewed emphasis on penalty corners—both attack and defence. The options are plenty: Varun Kumar, FIH Junior World Cup Captain Rohit, Furlong, and seasoned campaigner Rupinder Pal Singh provide depth and variety at the top of the circle.
“It's (PCs) one of the most important aspects of the game,” Oudenaller said.
“PC conversion and PC defence—we're working hard on both. This time, we also have Tomás Santiago, Argentina's goalkeeper, along with Pawan. So we have competent guys at both ends.”
Drawing from his rich experience in the Dutch league, particularly with HC Kampong, Oudenaller believes adaptability will be key. “I'll try to combine the two worlds, the two cultures,” he said, hinting at a fusion of European structure and Indian flair.
Midfielder Ky Willott, vice-captain of the team, echoed the optimism within the camp. ‘With Oudenaller coming in and bringing a wealth of knowledge from HC Kampong, it's exciting,' said the 23-year-old Australian.”
“We're playing a different style. It's new for a lot of people, but with this approach, I believe we're going to achieve a lot of success.”
As is often the case when a new coach takes charge and subtle tweaks are made to the squad composition, hope and expectation run high. For Pipers, the challenge now is to ensure those expectations translate into results on the field.
Published - January 05, 2026 12:13 pm IST
Hockey
Source: TheHindu
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