Ranchi Royals Score 4 Goals in 6 Minutes for Epic Win

Down 1-0 with just six minutes left, Ranchi Royals turned their first home match into an unforgettable comeback story that had fans on their feet at the Hockey India League.

The defending champion Bengal Tigers looked comfortable heading into the final quarter at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium. Young Ketan Kushwaha had given them the lead in the second quarter, and their defense was holding strong against every Royals attack.

But the 54th minute changed everything. FIH Player of the Year 2025 Tom Boon stripped the ball from a Tigers defender, executed a lightning-quick one-two pass, and fired a reverse hit into the net to tie the game at 1-1.

The floodgates opened. Two minutes later, Mandeep Singh found the back of the net with another reverse hit to give Ranchi their first lead of the match.

Desperate for an equalizer, Bengal pulled their goalkeeper and sent 11 outfield players forward. The gamble backfired spectacularly as Lachlan Sharp and Boon both fired into the empty net, completing a stunning 4-1 victory.

The Bright Side: This comeback win marked Ranchi's first victory of the season and showed why hockey remains one of the most thrilling sports to watch. Captain Boon's leadership on the field inspired his teammates to never give up, even when time was running out.

The Tigers' defense, led by Manpreet Singh and Yashdeep Siwach, had frustrated Bengal's penalty corner attempts all night. When their moment came, they seized it with both hands.

Earlier that day, Kalinga Lancers topped the league table after defeating HIL GC 3-1 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper Jed Snowden came off the bench to make crucial saves and secure the win.

For Bengal Tigers, this marks their third consecutive loss after starting as defending champions. For Ranchi, it's proof that the game isn't over until the final whistle blows.