Kane Russell Fires Hat-Trick as HIL GC Outgun Shrachi Bengal Tigers 6–3 in Chennai Goal-Fest
Chennai, January 7, 2026:
HIL GC produced one of their most dominant attacking displays of the season to defeat Shrachi Bengal Tigers 6–3 in a thrilling Men’s Hero Hockey India League 2025-26 encounter at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Egmore, on Wednesday night. The star of the show was Australian drag-flick specialist Kane Russell, who struck a sensational hat-trick to guide his side to a high-scoring victory.
The match began at a furious pace with both sides engaging in a tense midfield battle. HIL GC came close to opening the scoring in the 11th minute when Ajeet Yadav hit the post after being set up by Sudeep Chirmako. Moments later, however, the momentum swung as Shrachi Bengal Tigers were awarded four successive penalty corners. Although the initial attempts were resisted, a penalty stroke was eventually conceded, and Tigers captain Jugraj Singh (12’) made no mistake from the spot to give his side a 1–0 lead.
HIL GC almost responded instantly when Sam Ward rattled the post with a first-time effort in the 14th minute, but the breakthrough only came in the 19th minute — and it came twice. First, Sam Ward (19’) finished off a long Kane Russell pass with the lightest of touches to level the scores. Seconds later, Russell himself stepped up and thundered in a drag-flick from a penalty corner to put HIL GC ahead 2–1.
The Tigers threatened to draw level before halftime when Sukhjeet Singh burst through the centre and smashed a backhander against the crossbar in the 28th minute, but despite registering 13 circle penetrations and six shots, they still trailed at the break.
HIL GC took firm control in the third quarter. Five minutes after the restart, Kane Russell (36’) converted another penalty corner to stretch the lead, taking his personal tally to the top of the league charts. Two minutes later, Sudeep Chirmako (38’) added a brilliant field goal, beating the goalkeeper from a tight angle to make it 4–1.
Shrachi Bengal Tigers responded with renewed urgency in the 40th minute, scoring twice in quick succession. Tom Grambusch (40’) converted a penalty corner before Christopher Ruhr (40’) reacted quickest to a rebound to reduce the deficit to 4–3, swinging the momentum briefly back in their favour.
But Kane Russell ensured that the Tigers’ comeback hopes were short-lived. In the 44th minute, he fired home yet another drag-flick from a penalty corner to complete his hat-trick — his second consecutive treble in the Hero HIL — restoring HIL GC’s two-goal cushion.
With eight minutes remaining, the Tigers rolled the dice by replacing their goalkeeper with an extra outfield player in a desperate search for an equaliser. They earned two late penalty corners but were denied by a heroic save from James Mazarelo. The risk finally backfired in the 59th minute when James Albery dribbled past the Tigers’ defence and tapped into an empty net, sealing a resounding 6–3 victory for HIL GC.
The emphatic result underlined HIL GC’s attacking depth and Kane Russell’s lethal efficiency from set pieces, while Shrachi Bengal Tigers were left to reflect on missed chances in a contest that produced nine goals and non-stop drama.
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