In a match that showcased the very best of Indian field hockey, Shrachi Bengal Tigers captain Jugraj Singh produced a scintillating hat-trick performance to guide his side to a commanding 5-3 victory over Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on January 13, 2026.

The defending Hockey India League champions entered the contest in desperate need of points, sitting precariously in seventh place before the opening whistle. What followed was a clinical display of finishing from Singh, whose devastating penalty corner conversions and precise shooting proved too much for the Dragons to handle.

Singh opened the scoring in the 11th minute, converting from a penalty stroke with characteristic composure. The Indian international kept his shot low and fierce, beating Irish goalkeeper David Harte with a strike that gave the Tigers an early advantage and set the tone for what would become a memorable individual performance.

The second quarter saw both teams trade possession, but it was Sukhjeet Singh who extended the Tigers' lead in the 33rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to make it 2-0. The Dragons responded through Adrohit Ekka in the 36th minute, injecting life into their campaign and giving the home crowd reason to believe a comeback was possible.

However, the third quarter belonged entirely to Jugraj Singh. In a devastating two-minute spell between the 43rd and 45th minutes, the captain struck twice more to complete his hat-trick, the first of the current season, and effectively seal the result. His precision from penalty corners was exceptional, leaving Harte with no chance on either occasion.

The Dragons showed commendable spirit in the final quarter, with English forward Thomas Sorsby reducing the deficit in the 48th minute before Australian star Blake Govers added another in the 51st minute to make it 5-3. Yet any hopes of a dramatic comeback were extinguished when Abhishek found the net in the 55th minute, restoring the Tigers' three-goal cushion and confirming the final scoreline.

The victory proved pivotal in the league standings, with the Tigers vaulting from seventh to fourth position, a remarkable four-place improvement that keeps their playoff aspirations very much alive. In the single round-robin format of the men's competition, where all eight teams face each other once and only the top four advance to the knockout stages, every point carries significant weight.

For the Tamil Nadu Dragons, the defeat represents a setback in their own playoff push, though with matches still remaining, their fate remains in their own hands. Govers and Sorsby showed flashes of quality that will give coach optimism for future fixtures.

The Hockey India League 2026, which commenced on January 3 and runs through January 26, has already captivated fans across the nation. The tournament recently achieved a remarkable milestone, crossing one billion social media views in just over two weeks, a testament to the growing popularity of field hockey in India.

As the competition enters its crucial latter stages, the Tigers will look to build on this momentum, with Jugraj Singh's leadership proving instrumental to their title defense. His hat-trick performance serves as a reminder of why the Bengal outfit remains among the favorites to lift the trophy once more.