HIL 2025-26: Jugraj hat-trick takes Bengal Tigers to 5-3 win over Tamil Nadu Dragons

Jugraj Singh scored his first hat-trick of this Hockey India League season to ensure a commanding 5-3 win for Bengal Tigers against Tamil Nadu Dragons in Ranchi on Tuesday.

The defending champion was seventh before the game but jumped to fourth with the result.

Sukhjeet Singh (33’) and Abhishek (55’) were the other scorers for the Tigers, helping the side overcome a late charge from the Dragons. Adrohit Ekka (36’), Thomas Sorsby (48’) and Blake Govers (51’) scored for them.

The Tigers were quick to get off the blocks with Abhishek creating the first real shot on goal but didn’t quite find success. However, an infringement while defending saw the Dragons give away a penalty stroke in the 11th minute, which Jugraj fired low and fiercely to beat David Harte into the goal.

Though the second quarter was goalless, the Dragons had the better chances. The third quarter began with a sensational goal from Sukhjeet. It was a good combination between Tommy Willems and Abhishek which was eventually finished well by Sukhjeet.

The Dragons found a way back into the game through Adrohit’s goal from a penalty corner in the 36th minute. But it was quickly shut out, courtesy of two quick goals from Jugraj in the 43rd and 45th minute.

The final quarter revived the Dragons’ hopes of equalising after Sorsby and Govers struck in the space of three minutes. But all it could do was force a few nervy minutes upon the Tigers defence.

A penalty corner variation that saw Abhishek position himself to pick a up deflection from Tom Grambusch’s dragflick restored the two-goal lead for the Tigers, and left little time for the Dragons to stage another comeback.

Published on Jan 13, 2026