Kalinga Lancers

Kalinga Lancers is an Indian professional field hockey franchise team based in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Owned by Vedanta Aluminium, the franchise competes in the Hockey India League, the top flight of Indian field hockey.

History

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. Lancers also finished the 2015
edition in a similar fashion, finishing fifth at the end of the league stage.
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 to reach the Final. In the final, the Lancers faced Punjab Warriors which they lost 1–6, finishing the league as the runners-up.
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 to reach the Final. On 26 February 2017, Kalinga Lancers defeated Dabang Mumbai 4–1 in the final to win their first ever silverware.
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.

Ownership

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

Stadium

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.

Personnel

Technical staff

Position

Name

Ref.

Head Coach

Statistics

Top goalscorers

Rank	Player	Nationality	Goals
1	Glenn Turner		15
2	Moritz Fürste		11
3	Alexander Hendrickx		10
3	Thierry Brinkman		10
4	Gonzalo Peillat		8
4	Gurjinder Singh		8
5	Lalit Upadhyay		6
5	Lucas Vila		6