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Kalinga Lancers

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Kalinga Lancers
Full nameKalinga Lancers
Nickname(s)Lancers
LeagueHockey India League
Founded2013
Colors   
Home groundKalinga Stadium
Bhubaneswar, Odisha
(Capacity 15,000)
Personnel
CaptainAustralia Arthur Van Doren
India Sanjay Rana
CoachAustralia Jay Stacy
OwnerVedanta Aluminium
CEOC. Chandru
(CEO, Vedanta Limited)
Members
Websitekalingalancers-vedanta.com
Performance
Winners 2017, 2025–26
Runners-up 2016
Home
Away

Kalinga Lancers (Odia: କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଲ୍ୟାନ୍ସର୍ସ) is an Indian professional field hockey franchise team based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.[1] Owned by Vedanta Aluminium, the franchise competes in the Hockey India League, the top flight of Indian field hockey.[2]

History

[edit]

In their inaugural season in 2014, the Kalinga Lancers finished at the sixth spot at the end of league stage, and did not qualify for the semi-finals.[3] Lancers also finished the 2015 edition in a similar fashion, finishing fifth at the end of the league stage.[4]

In the 2016 Hockey India League, the Kalinga Lancers finished fourth at the end of league stage and advanced into the semi-finals for the first time, garnering 25 points from 10 games. In the semi-finals, the Lancers defeated Ranchi Rays 2–2 (4–2) to reach the Final. In the final, the Lancers faced Punjab Warriors which they lost 1–6, finishing the league as the runners-up.[5]

In the 2017 Hockey India League, the Kalinga Lancers finished second at the end of league stage and advanced into the semi-finals garnering 28 points from 10 games. In the semi-finals, the Lancers defeated Uttar Pradesh Wizards 4–4 (4–3) to reach the Final. On 26 February 2017, Kalinga Lancers defeated Dabang Mumbai 4–1 in the final to win their first ever silverware.[6]

Kalinga Lancers had a mixed campaign in the 2024–25 Hockey India League as they finished sixth in the league table with 12 points from 10 matches, recording three wins, one shoot-out win, five losses, and one shoot-out loss. The team scored 31 goals and conceded the same number, ending with a neutral goal difference. Thierry Brinkman emerged as their standout performer, netting 10 goals to finish among the league's top scorers. A series of narrow losses and missed opportunities in crucial games cost them a spot in the semifinals.[7]

Ownership

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Since its establishment in 2013, the Kalinga Lancers hockey franchise was jointly owned by Mahanadi Coalfields and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.[8] Ahead of the 2024–25 Hockey India League season, the Vedanta Group acquired full ownership of the team.[2]

Stadium

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Established in 2010, the Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar, is the home ground of the Kalinga Lancers. The 16,000-capacity stadium has hosted several national and international tournaments including the Men's FIH Hockey World Cup, Hockey Champions Trophy, Men's FIH Hockey World League, FIH Hockey Series Finals, Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, Men's FIH Pro League and Women's FIH Pro League. It was one of the venues to host the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. The stadium also serves as the home base for the men's national field hockey team, women's national field hockey team and youth national teams.[9][10]

Squad

[edit]
As of 8 January 2026[11]
No. Player Nationality Signed Salary
Goalkeepers
1 Jed Snowden  Australia 2025 10 lakh (US$10,000)
12 Krishan Pathak  India 2024 32 lakh (US$33,000)
Defenders
4 Arthur Van Doren  Belgium 2024 32 lakh (US$33,000)
15 Rohit Kullu  India 2024 2 lakh (US$2,100)
16 Alexander Hendrickx  Belgium 2024 23 lakh (US$24,000)
17 Sunil PB  India 2025 2 lakh (US$2,100)
20 Partap Lakra  India 2024 2 lakh (US$2,100)
24 Antoine Kina  Belgium 2024 16 lakh (US$17,000)
48 Dipsan Tirkey  India 2025 N/a
70 Sanjay Rana  India 2024 38 lakh (US$39,000)
Midfielders
10 Liam Henderson  Australia 2025 42 lakh (US$44,000)
19 Craig Marais  Australia 2025 10 lakh (US$10,000)
21 Rosan Kujur  India 2024 12.5 lakh (US$13,000)
29 Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem  India 2024 32 lakh (US$33,000)
39 Amit Kumar Toppo  India 2025 2 lakh (US$2,100)
Forwards
5 Cooper Burns  Australia 2025 34.5 lakh (US$36,000)
7 Gursahibjit Singh  India 2024 6 lakh (US$6,200)
8 Boby Singh Dhami  India 2025 10 lakh (US$10,000)
9 Dilpreet Singh  India 2024 34 lakh (US$35,000)
26 Deepak Pradhan  India 2024 2 lakh (US$2,100)
99 Angad Bir Singh  India 2024 26 lakh (US$27,000)

Personnel

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Technical staff

[edit]
As of 28 December 2025[12]
Position Name Ref.
Head coach Australia Jay Stacy [13]
Technical & Strategy Coach Belgium Pascal Kina [14]
Assistant Coach India B. J. Kariappa [15]
Team Manager India Anjaparavanda B. Subbaiah [16]
Physiotherapist India Boddhisattva Dass [12]
Physical Trainer India Damanpreet Singh Sial [12]

Coaching history

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Name Nationality Period
Terry Walsh  Australia 2014
Jude Felix Sebastian  India 2015
Mark Hager  Australia 2016–2017
Valentin Altenburg  Germany 2024
Jay Stacy  Australia 2025–

Statistics

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Alexander Hendrickx, Kalinga Lancers' all-time leading goalscorer with 19 goals to his name.

Overall

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As of 26 January 2026

2014–2017

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Season Matches Won Drawn Lost GF GA Position
2014 10 2 1 7 23 34 6th
2015 10 3 1 6 17 26 5th
2016 12 5 1 6 42 44 Runners-Up
2017 12 7 1 4 40 45 Champions

2024–

[edit]
Season Matches Won SOW Lost SOL GF GA Position
2024–25 10 3 1 5 1 31 31 6th
2025–26 9 6 2 1 0 21 11 Champions

Performance by opposition

[edit]
As of 26 January 2026

2014–2017

[edit]
Opposition Matches Won Drawn Lost GF GA Win%
Dabang Mumbai 7502231471.4%
Delhi Waveriders 8314162437.5%
Mumbai Magicians 21014450%
Punjab Warriors 9225243222.2%
Ranchi Rays 7304182442.8%
Ranchi Rhinos 21016450%
Uttar Pradesh Wizards 9216283322.2%

2024–

[edit]
Opposition Matches Won SOW Lost SOL GF GA Win%
Delhi SG Pipers 32100167100%
HIL Governing Council 1010011100%
Hyderabad Toofans 210102550%
Rarh Bengal Tigers 3201011667%
Ranchi Royals 3300095100%
Soorma Hockey Club 300307110%
Tamil Nadu Dragons 101013350%
Team Gonasika 1100021100%
UP Rudras 10010130%

Top goalscorers

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As of 26 January 2026
Rank Player Nationality Goals
1 Alexander Hendrickx  Belgium 19
2 Glenn Turner  Australia 15
3 Moritz Fürste  Germany 11
4 Thierry Brinkman  Netherlands 10
5 Gonzalo Peillat  Argentina 8
Gurjinder Singh  India 8
6 Lalit Upadhyay  India 6
Lucas Vila  Argentina 6

Seasons

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2014

[edit]
Gonzalo Peillat was the top scorer in Kalinga Lancers' inaugural season in 2014.
No. Date Result Opponent Venue Report
128 January3 7Punjab WarriorsBhubaneswar Match 5
230 January5 0Delhi WaveridersDelhi Match 7
31 February2 1Mumbai MagiciansBhubaneswar Match 10
42 February3 4Delhi WaveridersBhubaneswar Match 12
57 February3 2Ranchi RhinosRanchi Match 16
69 February3 1Uttar Pradesh WizardsLucknow Match 19
711 February3 3Punjab WarriorsMohali Match 21
813 February3 4Uttar Pradesh WizardsBhubaneswar Match 23
914 February4 1Ranchi RhinosBhubaneswar Match 24
1016 February3 2Mumbai MagiciansMumbai Match 27
Position: 6th
  • Goals for: 23 (2.30 per match)
  • Goals against: 34 (3.40 per match)
  • Most goals: 8

2015

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No. Date Result Opponent Venue Report
122 January6 3Ranchi RaysBhubaneswar Match 1
225 January4 2Punjab WarriorsMohali Match 5
329 January5 1Uttar Pradesh WizardsLucknow Match 9
431 January0 2Uttar Pradesh WizardsBhubaneswar Match 11
51 February1 3Punjab WarriorsBhubaneswar Match 13
66 February4 0Ranchi RaysRanchi Match 17
78 February2 1Dabang MumbaiMumbai Match 20
812 February2 2Delhi WaveridersBhubaneswar Match 23
913 February2 1Dabang MumbaiBhubaneswar Match 24
1015 February1 2Delhi WaveridersNew Delhi Match 27
Position: 5th
  • Goals for: 17 (1.70 per match)
  • Goals against: 26 (2.60 per match)
  • Most goals: 5

2016

[edit]
Glenn Turner, Kalinga Lancers' top scorer in 2016 and 2017 HIL editions.
No. Date Result Opponent Venue Report
118 January6 8Uttar Pradesh WizardsBhubaneswar Match 1
221 January4 2Dabang MumbaiBhubaneswar Match 4
325 January2 10Uttar Pradesh WizardsLucknow Match 8
428 January3 2Ranchi RaysRanchi Match 10
531 January4 6Dabang MumbaiMumbai Match 13
65 February4 0Delhi WaveridersBhubaneswar Match 18
77 February1 4Punjab WarriorsBhubaneswar Match 20
88 February2 3Ranchi RaysBhubaneswar Match 21
915 February4 4Punjab WarriorsMohali Match 28
1017 January6 0Delhi WaveridersNew Delhi Match 30
1120 February2 2 (2 4)Ranchi RaysRanchi Semi-final 2
1221 February1 6Punjab WarriorsRanchi Final
Position: Runners-Up
  • Goals for: 42 (3.5 per match)
  • Goals against: 44 (3.6 per match)
  • Most goals: 15

2017

[edit]
Moritz Fürste captained the Kalinga Lancers side in their title winning 2017 HIL season and ended up as the top scorer of the edition.
No. Date Result Opponent Venue Report
122 January1 0Delhi WaveridersBhubaneswar Match 2
223 January4 2Ranchi RaysBhubaneswar Match 3
326 January7 2Ranchi RaysRanchi Match 5
429 January0 10Uttar Pradesh WizardsBhubaneswar Match 8
531 January3 4Dabang MumbaiMumbai Match 10
63 February6 5Punjab WarriorsBhubaneswar Match 13
75 February2 5Dabang MumbaiBhubaneswar Match 15
810 February2 2Uttar Pradesh WizardsLucknow Match 19
912 February6 4Delhi WaveridersNew Delhi Match 21
1018 February0 7Punjab WarriorsChandigarh Match 26
1125 February4 4 (4 3)Uttar Pradesh WizardsChandigarh Semi-final 1
1226 February4 1Dabang MumbaiChandigarh Final
Position: Champions

2024–25

[edit]
No. Date Result Opponent Venue Report
130 December1 3UP RudrasRourkela Match 4
23 January2 2 (5 6)Tamil Nadu DragonsRourkela Match 8
35 January3 4Soorma Hockey ClubRourkela Match 11
47 January6 0Rarh Bengal TigersRourkela Match 14
59 January2 1Team GonasikaRourkela Match 17
612 January1 5Hyderabad ToofansRourkela Match 21
716 January5 1Delhi SG PipersRourkela Match 25
819 January5 5 (3 2)Delhi SG PipersRourkela Match 29
924 January3 5Rarh Bengal TigersRanchi Match 34
1027 January1 2Soorma Hockey ClubRanchi Match 38
Position: 6th
  • Goals for: 31 (3.10 per match)
  • Goals against: 31 (3.10 per match)
  • Most goals: 10

2025–26

[edit]
No. Date Result Opponent Venue Report
14 January4 2Ranchi RoyalsChennai Match 3
28 January2 1Rarh Bengal TigersChennai Match 8
311 January1 1 (3 1)HIL Governing CouncilRanchi Match 11
414 January1 0Hyderabad ToofansRanchi Match 16
517 January6 1Delhi SG PipersBhubaneswar Match 21
618 January1 1 (4 1)Tamil Nadu DragonsBhubaneswar Match 23
720 January1 2Soorma Hockey ClubBhubaneswar Match 26
823 January2 1Ranchi RoyalsBhubaneswar Qualifier 1
926 January3 2Ranchi RoyalsBhubaneswar Final
Position: Champions
  • Goals for: 21 (2.33 per match)
  • Goals against: 11 (1.22 per match)
  • Most goals: 12

References

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  1. Sportstar, Team (13 October 2024). "Kalinga Lancers (Odisha) squad, Hockey India League 2024-25: Full list of players after auction, remaining purse". Sportstar. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Vedanta acquires full ownership of Kalinga Lancers, a team based in Odisha - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  3. "Hero Hockey India League 2014: Results Handbook" (PDF). Hockey India League. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  4. "Hero Hockey India League 2015: Results Handbook" (PDF). Hockey India League. 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  5. "Coal India Hockey India League 2016: Results Handbook" (PDF). Hockey India League. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  6. "Kalinga Lancers crowned the Champions of Coal India Hockey India League". Hockey India League. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  7. "Hero Hockey India League 2024-25 (Men's): Results Handbook" (PDF). Hockey India. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  8. "Kalinga Lancers for hockey league launched". The Times of India. 19 November 2013. Archived from the original on 26 November 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  9. "From Kalinga to Birsa Munda: A Look at the Venues Hosting World's Best Hockey Teams". CNN-News18. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. "Kalinga Hockey Stadium". Government of Odisha. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  11. "Vedanta Kalinga Lancers - Players". Hockey India. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 "Vedanta Kalinga Lancers - Team Staff". Hockey India. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  13. "Jay Stacy appointed Kalinga Lancers head coach for Hockey India League". 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  14. "Hockey India League: Kalinga Lancers appoint Pascal Kina as technical and strategy coach". Odisha TV. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  15. "Kariappa BJ - Assistant Coach of Vedanta Kalinga Lancers". Firstpost. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  16. "Hockey India League: Kalinga Lancers appoint David John as Strategy Director and AB Subbaiah as Team Manager". Firstpost. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.