Why 'Hurricanes'? Naveen Rathi on Capturing Haryana's Sporting DNA in the VCL

Every great team name tells you something before a ball is served. For Haryana Hurricanes, the name is a promise: fast, fierce and impossible to ignore. Here is the story behind the Haryana Hurricanes meaning, in the words and ideas of team owner Naveen Rathi.

The Story Behind the Name

Speaking to IANS during the VCL 2026 semi-final week, Naveen Rathi explained that because he belongs to Haryana, the team had to carry the state's name. The second word came from the idea of a 'toofan', a storm. His belief was simple: whenever players from Haryana come together, they bring that storm-like energy with them. (Read the interview in The Hans India.)

Cricket fans will also recognise the phrase. 'Haryana Hurricane' has long been the nickname of Kapil Dev, the captain who won India the 1983 World Cup. The franchise name sits naturally in that tradition of Haryana athletes who play with pace and power.

Haryana: The Land of Champions

Haryana's sporting record speaks for itself. The state has produced Olympic and world champions in wrestling, boxing, shooting and javelin, and it is a powerhouse in kabaddi. What links these athletes is an attitude the franchise describes as discipline, hard work and a never-give-up spirit. We explored that culture in Haryana's Passion For Sports, Now On The Volleyball Court.

The Hurricanes' own philosophy puts it in one line: every spike, block and serve carries the state's heartbeat, fast, fierce and focused. You can read the franchise's mission and vision on the About Haryana Hurricanes page.

'Chhore Haryana Ke': A Team That Speaks Haryanvi

Visit the Hurricanes' homepage and you will notice something most franchise websites do not do: it speaks in the language of its fans. Lines like 'Yo Haryana hai' and the tagline 'Chhore Haryana Ke' are deliberate. They tell supporters in Rohtak, Hisar, Panipat or Gurugram that this is their team, in their voice. The identity is not a marketing layer on top of the franchise; it is the franchise.

What a Hurricane Looks Like on Court

A storm builds, hits hard and does not let up. The Hurricanes' VCL 2026 season followed the same pattern:

• The fightback against Emperia Marathas (Super 6): down 18-21 after the first set, Haryana won the next two 21-16 and 21-13.
• The finish against Punjab AeroStrikers (Super 6): after trading the first two sets, the Hurricanes closed out the decider 21-10, with 38 attacks and 9 blocks in the match.
• The tight ones: 25-23 in the first set and 15-12 in the third against Delhi Dynamites, and a 21-15 decider against NBS Bengaluru Smashers.

Every result is on the Haryana Hurricanes fixtures and results page, and the best moments are in the Hurricanes gallery.

Representing Haryana on the National Stage

The inaugural VCL was played at the Noida Indoor Stadium, a short drive from Haryana's border, and broadcast nationally on DD Sports, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony LIV and Waves OTT. For Naveen Rathi, that visibility matters: it puts the Haryana name in front of millions of viewers and gives young players in the state a team to aim for. Read more about the man behind the franchise in Who Is Naveen Rathi?.

About the Owner

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.