The Hockey India League finally kicked off with a mixed bag of on and off-field events. The opening ceremony was cancelled due to the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, but that didn't stop Delhi SG Pipers from securing a 2-2 draw against Team Gonasika and ultimately taking the bonus point in a shootouts. It was definitely a grand start for the tournament despite the initial setback.
Hockey India League Returns with Thrilling Start
The much-anticipated Hockey India League (HIL) is back with a bang, showcasing a thrilling mix of on and off-field events. The inaugural ceremony, scheduled to mark the commencement of the tournament, was unfortunately canceled due to the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Despite this setback, the tournament got off to a fiery start with an enthralling encounter between Delhi SG Pipers and Team Gonasika. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with the Pipers emerging victorious in the subsequent shootouts, securing a bonus point.
Background
The Hockey India League was established in 2013 as a franchise-based professional hockey league in India. Consisting of six city-based teams, the HIL is one of the most prestigious hockey tournaments in the world, attracting top players from across the globe.
Format
The HIL follows a round-robin format, with each team playing each other twice in the regular season. The top four teams then advance to the semifinals, with the winners facing off in the championship match.
Teams and Players
This year's HIL features six teams:
The teams are packed with world-class players, including:
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why was the opening ceremony canceled? Answer: The opening ceremony was canceled due to the demise of Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India.
2. Which team did Delhi SG Pipers draw against? Answer: Delhi SG Pipers drew against Team Gonasika in their opening match.
3. Where is the tournament held? Answer: The tournament is held in various cities across India, including New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
4. When was the Hockey India League first established? Answer: The Hockey India League was established in 2013.
5. Which team has won the most HIL titles? Answer: Delhi Waveriders and Punjab Warriors have each won two HIL titles.
The makers have released a new poster of the highly anticipated film Toxic, featuring Yash in a white blazer, hat, and cigar. With the tagline "His untamed presence is your existential crisis" and the date 8.1.2025, fans are eagerly speculating about the actor's look and role in the film. On the other hand, Kajal Aggarwal's first look as Parvati Devi in the upcoming pan-Indian film Kannappa has also been revealed. With the tagline "Mother who rules over the three worlds," the poster showcases the actress' ethereal beauty and the divine presence she brings to the epic tale of devotion and sacrifice. Fans are now eagerly waiting for the film's release in April 2025.
Comedian Samay Raina recently revealed that his relationship with Kusha Kapila has been affected after he joked about her divorce from Zorawar Ahluwalia. During a Reddit AMA session, Raina admitted that they rarely talk but he is still fond of her and hopes that they can eventually laugh about the incident. The controversy surrounding Raina's jokes on Kapila's divorce has sparked a debate on the boundaries of comedy.
Veteran actor Innocent, known for his comedic roles, shared his experience of battling cancer for the third time and how he deals with it with humor. He also revealed that his wife, who is also a cancer survivor, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is undergoing treatment. The actor and his family remain hopeful for her recovery.
In the upcoming episode of Bigg Boss 18, tensions rise as Shilpa Shirodkar is seen struggling to manage her relationships with housemates Vivian Dsena and Karanveer Mehra. After apologizing multiple times to Vivian who shows no signs of accepting it, Karanveer lashes out at Shilpa for her behavior. He questions her about why she felt the need to apologize and reminds her of their friendship. However, Shilpa justifies that she would have done the same for Karan had he been in Vivian's place. This leads to an emotional outburst from Shilpa and leaves viewers wondering what will happen next. Stay tuned for more updates on this gripping drama unfolding in Bigg Boss 18.
As the popular reality show Bigg Boss 18 nears its finale, former contestant Edin Rose shares her predictions for the top 5 contestants who could win the trophy. She names Rajat, Karan, Vivian, Chaahat, and Kashish as her top picks for the finale. Although Edin herself was eliminated in a double eviction a few weeks ago, she is rooting for her friend Rajat or Kashish to win the show. She also expresses her gratitude for the opportunity the show has provided her in terms of career growth.
Ajith Kumar, owner of racing team Ajith Kumar Racing, recently got into a scary accident while practicing for his upcoming Dubai 24H race. The video of the accident went viral on social media, causing concern among fans. However, his manager reassured everyone that the actor is fine and healthy. Along with his race career, Ajith also has multiple acting projects in the works, including 'Good Bad Ugly' and 'Vidaamuyarchi'.
The highly-anticipated teaser of 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' starring KGF sensation Yash and directed by Geetu Mohandas is expected to release on January 8, the star's birthday. The powerful poster, which has set social media abuzz, hints at a gritty storyline that explores themes of power and morality. Fans can't wait to see Yash in his untamed avatar once again.
In the official trailer for Newtopia, Jisoo plays Young-joo, who must navigate a zombie outbreak in Seoul while also trying to reconcile with her ex-boyfriend Jae-yoon. As the couple fights their way through hordes of zombies, Young-joo's determination to be with Jae-yoon is put to the ultimate test. The highly-anticipated series arrives on Feb. 7 on Prime Video.
Former Bigg Boss 18 contestant Sara Arfeen Khan opened up about her regrets from the show in an interview with Bollywood Bubble. She apologized for bringing up actor Vivian Dsena's past relationship with Vahbbiz Dorabjee on the show, calling it a mistake and stating that she shouldn't have delved into anyone's personal life on national television. Khan also shared her disappointment at her scenes being cut from her latest film and discussed her experience as Hrithik Roshan's life coach.
After being spotted with a massive diamond ring on her finger at the Golden Globes awards, it has been confirmed that Tom Holland has proposed to Zendaya in a quiet and intimate setting. Despite being one of Hollywood's most low-key couples, the pair's engagement has sparked excitement and congratulations from fans and fellow celebrities. However, with both stars having busy schedules, it may be some time before they can start planning their wedding.