Hockey India League 2024/25-Updated Table and Pot Schedule After January 4 Matches

The wait was worth it, and now everyone is in a buzz awaiting the arrival of Hockey India League (HIL) back after a seven-year gap. The HIL 2024/25 season began on December 28, 2024, at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, and the season was already filled with great performances by all eight teams competing for the title. With the league now in full swing, the standings have begun to take shape as teams battle it out in the round-robin format before the knockout rounds commence.

Tournament Structure and Format:

In the first phase of the tournament, each of the eight participating teams faces every other team, making for a highly competitive series of matches. After these preliminary matches, the teams will be split into two groups of four, and they will continue to play in their respective groups. This round will decide the top four teams, which will qualify for the knockout rounds. The league stage is scheduled to continue until 29 January, 2025. The knockout phase will start on 31 January, 2025. The knockout rounds will be divided into the semi-finals followed by the third-place playoff and the grand finale, all set for February 1, 2025.

Points Table Update on 4th January:

As of January 4, 2025, after a series of exciting matches, the points table has started to reflect the early performances of the teams. Each team is set to play 10 matches during the league stage, and the top four teams will make it to the knockout phase. The standings have been shaped by both wins and penalty shootout victories, which also contribute extra points to the teams.

Currently leading the table are UP Rudras, who have been very strong contenders from the very beginning. This has kept them in a very commanding position due to their consistent performance. Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers follow closely as they, too, have achieved some wins and maintain a strong position. Both teams emerged as the ones who have had a win on their side alone, and great performances have given the teams a needed edge in terms of points tallied.

Meanwhile, Delhi SG Pipers and Soorma Hockey Club faced each other in a series of thrilling matches, scoring points by winning through penalty shootouts. The Hyderabad Toofans, which struggled a lot in the beginning, gained momentum and earned points in their second match of the season.

Here is a rundown of match results and notable moments from the tournament:

December 28: The season opener saw Team Gonasika and Delhi SG Pipers share the spoils with a nail-biting draw at 2-2. The match was decided by a penalty shootout, with Delhi SG Pipers winning by 4-2.

December 29: Hyderabad Toofans lost to Rarh Bengal Tigers by a margin of 2-3 in a close game. On the same day, Soorma Hockey Club played Tamil Nadu Dragons to a 1-1 draw, with Soorma HC winning the penalty shootout 4-1.

December 30: UP Rudras defeated Kalinga Lancers 3-1 in a one-sided game.

December 31: In yet another closely fought match, Delhi SG Pipers were up against Hyderabad Toofans again and after the two teams drew 2-2, Hyderabad won it in the penalty shootout 5-4.

January 1: Rarh Bengal Tigers continued their impressive run with a 2-1 win against Team Gonasika.

January 2: Soorma Hockey Club lost to UP Rudras 0-3, with the latter just too strong for them.

January 3: Tamil Nadu Dragons and Kalinga Lancers played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Tamil Nadu winning the penalty shootout 6-5.

These results set up the upcoming match and helped determine the quotient of the series, where teams UP Rudras and Rarh Bengal Tigers emerged as favorites. Penalty shootouts have also added excitement to the league by making the competition rather promising in terms of performances.

As the HIL 2024/25 season continues, the competition is expected to get tougher. The second phase, where teams will be divided into two groups, promises even more thrilling matches. The teams are eager to secure their spots in the top four to advance to the knockout rounds, where the real battle for the title will begin.

The league, which will run up to January 29, 2025, will have the knockout phase begin on January 31, and the semi-finals will lead up to the grand finale on February 1, 2025. Hockey fans all over the country are waiting with bated breath for the climax of this action-packed season, with hopes high for their favorite teams to win.