Indian Bank Edge Defending Champions Income Tax in a Rain-Kissed Thriller
- Dr Prakash Ayyadurai
- Aug 22, 2025
- 3 min read
📍 Venue: Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium, Egmore
🕓 Time: 16:00 hrs | 📅 Date: 22nd August 2025
The third Super Six clash of NUO Clinic – Tiruvallur Premier League 3.0 was a high-stakes battle: Indian Bank, the perennial powerhouse, up against Income Tax, the defending champions of TPL.
What unfolded was a gripping contest of nerves, precision, and heart. In the end, Indian Bank’s sharp finishing made the difference in a 2–1 win that reminded everyone why Egmore has become hockey’s theatre this August.
⚡ Early Spark – Somanna Strikes for Indian Bank
Indian Bank couldn’t have asked for a better start. Barely a minute into the game, B.P. Somanna (No. 11, Indian Bank) the usual suspect converted a penalty corner with textbook execution to put his team ahead.
🔄 Income Tax Show Their Class
As champions do, Income Tax hit back. In the 23rd minute, their talisman Mahendran (No. 77) fired in a penalty corner, restoring parity at 1–1.
Halftime came with honours even, proving this was no ordinary clash — it was a battle between giants.
🛡️ Stalemate in Q3
The third quarter produced chances but no goals. Indian Bank shot wide from a penalty corner rebound, while Income Tax too wasted openings. The scoreline stayed locked, but the intensity only grew.
🎯 Satish Seals It with a Screamer
The turning point arrived in the 56th minute. B. Satish (No. 9, Indian Bank) unleashed a ferocious reverse hit from the top of the D — a strike that thundered past the keeper into the net.
It was the moment Egmore erupted. A goal of class and courage that handed Indian Bank a 2–1 lead. Income Tax piled on late pressure, but the Bankers’ defence stood tall till the final whistle.
🌧️ Rain, Cheers & Theatre
Even as light rain sprinkled across the turf, the fans stayed. Far from spoiling the evening, the rain added to the atmosphere — hockey and its faithful proving nothing could dampen their spirit.
🏅 Man of the Match
B. Satish (No. 9, Indian Bank) was named Man of the Match for his breathtaking winner. The medal was presented by Olympian Padmashri V. Baskaran sir.
📊 Match Stats
Quarter-wise Scoreline
Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
🏦 Indian Bank | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
🧾 Income Tax | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Goal Timeline
1’ – B.P. Somanna (Indian Bank, PC)
23’ – Mahendran (Income Tax, PC)
56’ – B. Satish (Indian Bank, FG)
👥 Team Sheets
Indian Bank
GK: Stalin Abhilash (1), Arun Prasad (32, C), Dhivakar R (32), Subramani M (55)
Players: Santhosh Kumar (4), Vinodhan V (7), Krishnan (5), B. Satish (9), Senthil Nayagam (8), Akshayakumar V (10, C), Vignesh (9), B.P. Somanna (11), Mahkeet Singh (13), Heartlin James (14), Hari (15), Kalaiarasu (16), Saravanakumar G (18), Jeevakumar (17), Anand Y (20), Nakul Malnad (21), Aryan Uthappa (22), Raghuram (26), Silver Stalin S (23), Sathiyaguru P (24), Abhishek (25), Naveen (52), Vinoth (55), Mareeswaran (69)
Team Manager: S. Thirumalvalavan
Income Tax (Defending Champions)
GK: Nithyashivaprasad (1), Dhivakar R (32), Subramani M (55)
Players: Chingappa (3), Vignesh (9), Raja V (19), Karthikeyan (19), Manikandan (20), Meganathan (23), Naveen (52), Mahendran (77), and others
Coach: G. Udayakumar
Team Manager: R. Swaminathan
🧑⚖️ Match Officials
Umpires: Krishnakumar, Balajikumar
Judges: Abdus Samad (Scoring), Navaneethakrishnan (Timing)
Technical Officer: Lakshminarayanan
Reserve Umpire: Shajahan
📣 Manager Quotes
S. Thirumalvalavan (Indian Bank Manager):
“When you play the defending champions, you need both patience and courage. Somanna gave us the start, Satish gave us the finish. This was a complete team effort.”
R. Swaminathan (Income Tax Manager):
“We matched Indian Bank stride for stride. It took a world-class strike to separate the two sides. As champions, we know setbacks happen — we’ll regroup and fight back.”
📺 Watch it Again
Catch the replay of this rain-kissed thriller on the i1Sports YouTube channel, where professional coverage, Tamil commentary, and soaring viewership continue to make TPL 3.0 the pride of South Indian hockey.
🏑 The Verdict
Indian Bank showed why they are serious contenders for the crown, grinding out a win against the defending champions. Income Tax may have fallen, but their spirit and structure prove they’ll remain dangerous in the Super Six.
Egmore once again got what it deserved: pure hockey theatre.
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