“We Can Go All the Way”: Naveen Rathi's Philosophy Behind the Hurricanes' VCL 2026 Semi-Final Run
From Dehradun to the VCL Semi-Finals
When Haryana Hurricanes reached the semi-finals of the first Volleyball Champions League, team owner Naveen Rathi did not talk about being happy to be there. He talked about the trophy. This is the story of the Haryana Hurricanes playoffs VCL run, the message that powered it, and what comes next.
From the Dehradun Camp to the Noida Indoor Stadium
Preparation started well before the first serve. The squad completed an intensive training camp in Dehradun before the league opened on 6 October 2026 at the Noida Indoor Stadium. Head Coach Vipin Tyagi and Assistant Coach Ankur Sharma used the camp to settle combinations around Icon Player Saqlain Tariq and record signing Chirag Yadav. Meet the full group on the Haryana Hurricanes squad page.
Haryana Hurricanes VCL 2026: Match-by-Match
| Date | Stage | Opponent | Result | Set Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Oct | Group B | Tamil Titans | Lost 1-2 | 12-21, 17-21, 21-20 |
| 8 Oct | Group B | Delhi Dynamites | Won 2-1 | 25-23, 17-25, 15-12 |
| 11 Oct | Group B | NBS Bengaluru Smashers | Won 2-1 | 21-17, 15-21, 21-15 |
| 14 Oct | Group B | Hoogly Hitters | Won 2-1 | 21-16, 18-21, 21-14 |
| 17 Oct | Super 6 | Punjab AeroStrikers | Won 2-1 | 21-17, 17-21, 21-10 |
| 19 Oct | Super 6 | Emperia Marathas | Won 2-1 | 18-21, 21-16, 21-13 |
| 21 Oct | Semi-final 2 | Emperia Marathas | Lost 0-3 | 20-22, 12-21, 18-21 |
Source: Haryana Hurricanes VCL 2026 fixtures and results.
The Opening Setback
The season started with a loss to Tamil Titans. Haryana dropped the first two sets but took the third 21-20, a small sign that the team would not fold under pressure. Two days later the Hurricanes beat Delhi Dynamites 2-1, edging a 25-23 first set and closing the decider 15-12. The run had begun.
The Message: Play Your Natural Game
Naveen Rathi has shared the message he gave the players before the tournament and again before the Super 6. He told them to play their natural game, not to worry about winning or losing, and not to overthink the result. In his view the players already had the ability; they only needed to trust themselves, focus on their own job and express themselves on court.
It is a simple instruction, but it shaped how the team played the tight moments. With no fear of the scoreboard, the Hurricanes kept winning deciding sets: 21-15 against NBS Bengaluru Smashers, 21-14 against Hoogly Hitters and 21-10 against Punjab AeroStrikers.
The Right Mix: Senior Heads, Young Legs
Rathi has also said he watched the team closely from the beginning and wanted senior players alongside young talent. He called the result a perfect combination. Experienced players handled the pressure points; younger players brought the energy needed across a packed schedule. The thinking behind that balance started at the auction table, which we cover in Inside Naveen Rathi's VCL Auction Strategy.
The Super 6: Beating the Best
Six teams reached the Super 6: Tamil Titans, Ayodhya Garjan, Emperia Marathas, Haryana Hurricanes, Punjab AeroStrikers and Delhi Dynamites. Haryana opened with a 2-1 win over Punjab AeroStrikers, posting 59 points, 38 attacks and 9 blocks. Then came the performance of the season: down a set against Emperia Marathas, the Hurricanes stormed back 21-16 and 21-13 to seal a semi-final place.
Speaking after that qualification, Rathi made his target clear. He said his expectation was that the team would win the trophy. (Read the interview in The Hans India.)
Semi-Final 2: The Storm Meets the Marathas Again
On 21 October, Emperia Marathas got their revenge, winning Semi-final 2 by 3-0 to reach the VCL Grand Final. The first set was decided by two points at 22-20, and Haryana pushed again in the third before losing 21-18. It was the end of the road for Season 1, but not the end of the story.
What Season 1 Proved
- A first-season franchise can compete with the best in the league.
- Trusting players to play freely produces results in close sets.
- The auction plan of star power plus depth held up across seven matches.
- Haryana now has a professional volleyball team its fans can follow every season.
Relive the season in the Hurricanes gallery and follow every update on our news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Haryana Hurricanes reach the VCL 2026 playoffs?
Yes. Haryana Hurricanes qualified for the Super 6 and then the semi-finals of VCL 2026.
Who knocked Haryana Hurricanes out of VCL 2026?
Emperia Marathas beat Haryana Hurricanes 3-0 in Semi-final 2 on 21 October 2026.
What was Haryana Hurricanes' record in VCL 2026?
The Hurricanes won five of their seven matches: three in Group B and two in the Super 6, before losing the semi-final.
What did Naveen Rathi tell the team before the Super 6?
He told the players to play their natural game, trust their ability and not worry about winning or losing.
Naveen Rathi
Owner, Haryana Hurricanes | Member, ZRUCC, East Central Railway
Naveen Rathi is the Owner of Haryana Hurricanes, Haryana's franchise in the Volleyball Champions League (VCL) India, and a Member of ZRUCC, East Central Railway. He led the franchise through the VCL 2026 auction and its debut season, taking the Hurricanes to the semi-finals. Read the full Haryana Hurricanes story.
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