Hockey India League is a professional field hockey league in India. It is organized by Hockey India, the governing body for the sport in India. It is considered one of the major sports leagues of the country.
It was founded in 2013 as a part of Hockey India’s attempt to develop an International Hockey Federation sanctioned league after the un-sanctioned World Series Hockey, began in 2012. The first season took place in 2013.
Previously, HIL used to consist of six teams, with the regular season from January to February, each team playing 10 games. The top four teams at the end of the season move into the play-offs, where the game decides the Hockey India League winner.
Since 2024, the teams have been expanded to eight. Meanwhile, the league’s addition of the women’s tournament will see six teams in its inaugural edition.
If there is a tie in any match then there would be extra time. Still, if winner is not decided, there would be a shoot-out. If still the winner is not decided there would be no option left other than penalty strokes.
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The first match was played on 14 January 2013, as Delhi Waveriders defeated the Punjab Warriors 2–1 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Also Read: Hockey India League: List Of Champions In History
Hockey India League: Players With Most Goals (Top 10)
Rank |
Player |
Team |
Goals Scored |
Position/Role |
| 1 | Jugraj Singh | Shrachi Bengal Tigers | 12 | Defender |
| 2 | Thierry Brinkman | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | 10 | Midfielder / Forward (Attacker) |
| 3 | Tomas Domene | SG Pipers | 8 | Forward (Attacker) |
| 4 | Gonzalo Peillat | Hyderabad Toofans | 8 | Defender |
| 5 | Jip Janssen | Tamil Nadu Dragons | 8 | Defender |
| 6 | Alexander Hendrickx | Vedanta Kalinga Lancers | 7 | Defender |
| 7 | Tim Brand | Hyderabad Toofans | 6 | Striker (Forward) |
| 8 | Amandeep Lakra | Hyderabad Toofans | 5 | Defender |
| 9 | Harmanpreet Singh | JSW Soorma Hockey Club | 5 | Defender |
| 10 | Rupinder Pal Singh | Shrachi Bengal Tigers | 5 | Fullback/Defender |
