New Delhi [India], January 25(ANI): SG Pipers goalkeeper Bansari Solanki performed a decisive position for her staff within the Women’s Hockey India League 2025-26 Final, the place they defeated Shrachi Bengal Tigers 3-2 within the shootout after a 1-1 draw to elevate the elusive title. The 24-year-old made three essential saves within the shootout, together with a penalty stroke to assist her aspect declare the victory. Bansari’s heroics within the Final additionally helped her win the ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ Award.
Despite not taking part in in regulation, Bansari Solanki was introduced on particularly for the shootout within the Final, a call deliberate prematurely. ‘It was deliberate that if the Final went right into a shootout, I’ll go. I wasn’t anticipating it, however I used to be ready. I used to be warming up always as a result of I knew if I needed to leap in, I needed to be on my toes,’ Bansari Solanki defined.
Speaking in regards to the strain of the second, Bansari Solanki highlighted how staying mentally composed helped her ship below strain. She mentioned, ‘The strain was positively there. I attempted to be mentally calm at the moment. I used to be current within the second. I used to be probably not desirous about the outcome, and I used to be simply there doing my greatest. Before the Final, our Coach Sofie Gierts instructed us, ‘W-I-N stands for What’s Important Now.’ I feel that caught with me all through the match.’
The efficiency was particularly vital given SG Pipers’ earlier shootout defeats to Shrachi Bengal Tigers in the course of the league stage. Talking about what she did in another way this time round, Bansari Solanki shared, ‘Having already confronted the identical staff, I knew precisely the place I had gone incorrect earlier. In the earlier shootout, I used to be dashing to decide to the ball. This time, I instructed myself to remain affected person, maintain my floor just a little longer and watch for the striker to make the primary transfer. That change in method made the distinction.’
Detailing her preparation forward of the Final, Bansari Solanki revealed how she had studied the opposition gamers prematurely. ‘There are some issues that some gamers at all times do or there are some issues they could change. So we studied that. Every shootout is an expertise so I stored all of the notes in my thoughts, however ultimately, what occurs within the second issues probably the most.’
SG Pipers got here final within the earlier season and made an unimaginable turnaround to grow to be the champions this yr. Crediting the staff surroundings for his or her success, Bansari Solanki said, ‘Teamwork-wise, a variety of issues modified. We communicated effectively on and off the sphere as a result of a particular bond was created proper since day one. Despite us coming from completely different components of the world, the teaching and assist workers did a implausible job in making us a unit and constructed a staff primarily based on all our strengths mixed.’
Talking about her total expertise on the Hero HIL, Bansari Solanki mentioned, ‘Hero HIL is an incredible alternative. You get to play with and towards prime gamers from completely different international locations, study from them, and compete at a really excessive stage. The publicity and the usual has actually helped Indian gamers perceive step up and carry out higher, and that is what helps hockey develop in India.’
All matches of the Hockey India League can be broadcast dwell on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3 and DD Sports. The matches may even be live-streamed on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel. (ANI)