The Indian Men’s Rugby Sevens team began their Asia Rugby 7s Trophy campaign in stunning fashion, registering three consecutive wins on the opening day in Muscat to book a semifinal berth.
Playing with discipline, flair, and resilience, India topped their group and defeated Iran in the quarterfinal to keep their dream of promotion to the elite Asia Rugby Sevens Series alive. India’s opening encounter against Lebanon set the tone for a day of spirited performances. However, it didn’t come easy. Lebanon, featuring several players based in Australia, stormed to a 10-0 lead early in the first half, catching the Indian defence off guard with their physicality and pace.
But India regrouped brilliantly. Displaying calm under pressure, the team began to control possession, spreading play wider and finding space on the flanks. Quick tries late in the first half brought them back into the contest, and a dominant defensive display in the final minutes sealed a 14-10 comeback victory a result that showcased the team’s belief and composure under pressure. That victory was more than just a win; it was a statement. It reflected the growing maturity of Indian rugby a team that no longer gets rattled when chasing a deficit but instead thrives on momentum and teamwork.
Commanding Wins Follow Against Afghanistan and Iran
If the opening match was a test of nerves, the second was an exhibition of control. Facing Afghanistan, India’s attack clicked seamlessly, and the result was a commanding 26-5 win. The forwards dominated the breakdowns, while the backs executed clinical offloads to create space and finish efficiently. The quarterfinal clash against Iran was expected to be tighter, but India produced one of their most balanced performances of recent times. Maintaining intensity from start to finish, they beat Iran 21-7 to storm into the semifinals. Their defence stood tall under pressure, while quick transitions and efficient support play ensured India maintained control of the tempo throughout.
With these victories, India ended Day 1 with a perfect 3-0 record, scoring 61 points and conceding just 22 — an indication of both attacking sharpness and defensive solidity.
A Pathway to the Top Tier
The Asia Rugby 7s Trophy is the second-tier competition on the continental circuit, sitting just below the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, which features the region’s top rugby nations. The winner of the Trophy gains promotion to the Series a pathway that India has long been targeting.
This year’s edition in Muscat features 14 teams India 🇮🇳, Afghanistan 🇦🇫, Bahrain 🇧🇭, Iran 🇮🇷, Iraq 🇮🇶, Jordan 🇯🇴, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿, Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬, Lebanon 🇱🇧, Oman 🇴🇲, Palestine 🇵🇸, Qatar 🇶🇦, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, and Syria 🇪🇬. The format places teams in group stages followed by knockout rounds, making consistency across both days crucial for any title aspirant. Interestingly, while the Indian men are competing in the Trophy division, the Indian women’s team are absent this year for all the right reasons.
Having finished runners-up in last year’s Trophy, they were promoted to the Asia Rugby Sevens Series (Tier 1) after the competition was expanded this season. It’s a significant milestone for Indian women’s rugby and a sign of the sport’s growing footprint in the country.
After their clinical run on Day 1, India now advance to the semifinals, where they will face Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦, who have also shown impressive form. The other semifinal features Afghanistan 🇦🇫 against Kazakhstan 🇰🇿, setting up a competitive final day in Muscat.
India will enter the semifinal high on confidence but aware that the job is far from done. The Saudis have been tactically astute and physically robust throughout the tournament, and India will need another disciplined performance to maintain their unbeaten run.
India’s performance in Muscat reflects the steady evolution of the national rugby program. The team’s fitness levels, structure, and game awareness have notably improved under focused development efforts by Rugby India in partnership with Asia Rugby and World Rugby. Sevens rugby, known for its pace and intensity, demands both athleticism and adaptability and the Indian squad is increasingly ticking those boxes. The ability to recover from an early deficit against Lebanon and maintain control across the next two games speaks volumes about the team’s preparation and mindset.
A victory in the tournament would not just mean silverware but also promotion to the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, where India would compete with the likes of Japan, Hong Kong China, and Korea Asia’s established rugby powerhouses. As the competition enters its final day on October 26, all eyes will be on India’s semifinal against Saudi Arabia. A win would take them one step closer to the title and to rejoining Asia’s top flight.
Whatever the outcome, India’s unbeaten opening day in Muscat has already reaffirmed their credentials as one of the most improved sides in the region. With passion, composure, and precision, the Men in Blue are carrying Indian rugby’s momentum forward one try at a time.
Day 1 Results (India):
🇮🇳 14–10 🇱🇧 Lebanon (GS)
🇮🇳 26–5 🇦🇫 Afghanistan (GS)
🇮🇳 21–7 🇮🇷 Iran (QF)
Semifinals:
🇮🇳 India vs 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇦🇫 Afghanistan vs 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan
