When the India Women’s Rugby Sevens team finished sixth in their debut at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) in Hangzhou last month, it wasn’t just a debut it was a declaration.
Against the odds, and in a field expanded to 12 of Asia’s best, India proved it could compete in the continent’s top flight. Now, as the team heads into Leg 2 in Colombo (October 18–19), the stakes are far greater: a top-four finish could place India in contention for qualification to the World Rugby HSBC SVNS Division 3, the global stage for emerging sevens nations.
The challenge is immense, but so is the opportunity.
Ranked 10th seed at the start of the Hangzhou leg, India’s sixth-place finish earned them 10 valuable Series points, putting them ahead of regional peers like the UAE and the Philippines. That debut performance validated the Indian Rugby Football Union’s developmental roadmap and the coaching vision of Paul Delport, the former South African sevens international tasked with crafting India’s ascent. Leg 2 in Colombo represents more than the second half of a series it’s the decisive benchmark for whether India can consolidate its place among Asia’s “Tier 2” nations, namely Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Hong Kong China.
Delport’s mandate is clear: turn learnings into results. The Global Stakes, a Pathway to SVNS Division 3
Asia Rugby’s Emirates Sevens Series has undergone a crucial restructuring in 2025, expanding from eight to twelve teams a direct response to World Rugby’s push to deepen competition. The top non-SVNS Asian team at the end of the season earns entry into the new HSBC SVNS Division 3 (formerly the Challenger Series). With Japan and China already competing in the global SVNS elite circuit, the “golden ticket” is up for grabs among the rest Hong Kong China, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and India.
After Leg 1, the standings read:
- Japan – 20 pts
- Hong Kong China – 16 pts
- Thailand – 14 pts
- Kazakhstan – 12 pts
- India – 10 pts
India, therefore, remains very much in the mix. A fourth-place finish in Colombo (worth 14 points) could lift their cumulative tally to 24, potentially leapfrogging both Kazakhstan and Thailand, depending on results elsewhere. The numbers confirm that a top-four finish is the minimum aggressive target. India’s five-match debut in Hangzhou offered a revealing snapshot of where they stand technically and mentally.
| Opponent | Result | Score | Takeaway |
| Hong Kong China | Loss | 0–29 | Exposed offensive limitations under high defensive pressure. |
| Thailand | Loss | 0–27 | Struggled with pace and transition defence. |
| Philippines | Win | 24–5 | Efficient, clinical against lower-ranked sides. |
| UAE | Win | 19–12 | Tactical composure in tight games. |
| Kazakhstan | Loss | 10–17 | Competitive, narrow defeat; a winnable fixture next time. |
Two patterns emerged.
First, India proved they belong dominant against developing nations, capable of managing leads, and mentally resilient under pressure. Their two wins, especially the 19–12 result against the UAE, were achieved through clear structures and effective finishing led by Sandhyarani Tudu, the team’s standout performer in Hangzhou with four tries and two conversions.
Second, there remains a stark gap against Asia’s established Tier 2 powers. Conceding 56 points without reply to Hong Kong China and Thailand revealed vulnerabilities in defensive organisation and breakdown control. Against structured opposition, India struggled to maintain possession or build multi-phase attacks. For Delport, bridging this gap is the next frontier. “The focus now is on converting learnings into results,” he said.
The Colombo Context Continuity and Composure
Unlike many developing programs, India enters Colombo with continuity. The IRFU retained the same 13-player roster that competed in Hangzhou, led by captain Shikha Yadav and vice-captain Dumuni Marndi. This decision, while conservative, ensures stability and chemistry in a short turnaround between legs. The squad’s familiarity with Delport’s systems is a competitive edge against similarly ranked teams still shuffling personnel.
The challenge now is execution sustaining the attacking confidence shown against the UAE while reducing defensive errors that led to collapses against Hong Kong and Thailand.
Day 1 Where the Path Will Be Decided
India’s Day 1 fixtures in Colombo could define their campaign before knockout rounds even begin. Based on the seeding matrix, India will likely share a pool with Japan (1st), UAE (7th), and Indonesia (12th).
Match 1: India vs UAE, the Pivotal Rematch
Their 19–12 win over UAE in Hangzhou was arguably the most significant in India’s short Sevens history. The rematch is the gateway to a strong start in Colombo.
Tactically, this fixture demands discipline and precision. The UAE contest fiercely at the breakdown, often forcing turnovers through physicality. India must counter this by tightening their ruck support and maintaining quick ball recycling.
A win is non-negotiable; a margin of 10 points or more would reflect genuine progress from Leg 1.
Match 2: India vs Indonesia, execution Test
Indonesia, who finished 12th with just one point, are still acclimatizing to elite-level play. For India, this is a chance to refine attacking patterns and rotate players strategically.
The objective is not just victory but dominance. India must target a +35 point differential, both to boost morale and to create a cushion in pool-stage tie-break scenarios. Clean handling, set-piece variety, and composure in finishing will be the key benchmarks.
Match 3: India vs Japan, the Benchmark Fixture
Against Japan, the region’s undisputed leader, India face a test of resilience. The historical scoreline (49–0) underlines the gulf between the two teams, but this fixture is about metrics, not results.
Success against Japan will be measured in the intangibles improved line speed, reduced penalties, and higher possession retention (target: 30% or more). Even scoring a single try would represent a breakthrough. If India can limit Japan to under 35 points, it would signify tangible defensive improvement.
The Knockout Equation Targeting the Top Four
India’s likely Day 2 scenario involves the 5th–8th classification bracket, unless they produce an upset in pool play. The realistic goal: a 5th or 4th place finish, worth 12–14 points respectively.
To achieve that, India must defeat Kazakhstan the team they came closest to beating in Hangzhou (10–17). That match should be their tactical focal point.
Scenario Matrix: What India Needs
| Finish in Colombo | Points Gained | Total (After 2 Legs) | Rival Finish Required | Feasibility |
| 6th | 10 | 20 | Kazakhstan & Thailand must underperform (9th or worse) | Low |
| 5th | 12 | 22 | Kazakhstan finish 7th or worse | Moderate |
| 4th | 14 | 24 | Thailand finish 6th or worse | High |
| 3rd | 16 | 26 | Hong Kong finish 8th or worse | Stretch goal |
The mathematics favour ambition. A top-four finish in Colombo would position India as one of Asia’s fastest-rising rugby programs, strengthening their claim for inclusion in the 2026 SVNS Division 3 circuit.
Performance Priorities Tactical Keys to Progress
- Kick-off Retention and Territory Control: Possession is the currency of Sevens rugby. India must improve their kick-off receipt rate both offensively and defensively to avoid ceding early momentum.
- Breakdown Efficiency: Leg 1 showed a vulnerability in ruck protection. Instituting a mandatory two-player support policy at every breakdown will reduce turnovers and stabilise attacking phases.
- Defensive Discipline: Penalties and yellow cards were costly in Hangzhou. A target of less than 1.5 penalties per half is a realistic benchmark. Maintaining discipline in offside lines and tackle entry angles is critical.
- Attacking Variation: While Sandhyarani Tudu’s pace remains a weapon, India must diversify their offense. Creating space through early width and using set-piece variations from scrums can spread defences and unlock alternate try scorers.
- Squad Rotation Management: With three pool matches in one day, intelligent rotation is essential. India’s coaching staff must manage physical load to preserve core players for knockout rounds.
Why Colombo Matters Beyond the Scoreline
For India, Colombo represents more than the pursuit of ranking points it’s a litmus test for the national program’s scalability. A strong finish will validate the IRFU’s decade-long investment in women’s rugby, showcasing the viability of a high-performance pathway from domestic sevens into international competition. It would also signal to sponsors and stakeholders that Indian rugby’s women’s program is ready to compete in a globalized high-performance ecosystem.
Even if India finishes outside the top four, the progress metrics narrowing the gap against Thailand or Kazakhstan, improving defensive stability, and demonstrating attacking structure will define success.
The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series is more than a competition it’s a blueprint for emerging nations to measure themselves against established systems. India has already proven that it can belong. What remains to be seen is whether it can evolve. The blueprint is clear: retain consistency, execute tactically, and close the Tier 2 gap. A top-four finish in Colombo would not just redefine India’s rugby identity but also announce its intent on the global stage.
For now, the objective remains simple:
Compete harder. Defend smarter. Believe bigger.
