The Indian men’s rugby sevens team is all set for one of its most significant international tests yet the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025, to be held in Muscat, Oman on October 25–26.
Led by Prashant Singh, India enters the tournament seeded third among 14 participating nations, with former England international and world sevens legend Ben Gollings at the helm as head coach. This event marks the first major competitive outing for India’s restructured high-performance rugby program a campaign not just to win, but to validate a larger transformation in the country’s rugby ecosystem.
The 2025 edition of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy represents more than just another tournament. It is India’s benchmark test following a year of major reforms under the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU). After clinching silver in 2024, the mission is clear nothing short of gold will suffice. President of the IRFU, Rahul Bose, emphasized that this campaign is the litmus test for the federation’s renewed strategic direction. “With Ben Gollings leading, we’ve taken a bold step toward aligning Indian rugby with international standards. The players are sharper, fitter, and technically more evolved than ever,” he said.
The Trophy is classified as a Tier 2 “Gateway Tournament” by Asia Rugby designed to promote emerging rugby nations into the continent’s top-flight competition, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. A gold-medal finish in Muscat could open the door for India to enter that elite tier.
The Gollings Factor: Elite Expertise Meets Indian Grit
The arrival of Ben Gollings as head coach has been a game-changer. A decorated former England Sevens captain and World Sevens Series record-holder with 2,652 points, Gollings also coached the Fiji 7s team to Olympic gold and World Series success between 2022 and 2024.
For India, his appointment represents both ambition and belief. Gollings’ impact has already been felt through the GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) a professional domestic tournament introduced this year where he coached the Chennai Bulls to the inaugural title. Many of the current Indian internationals, including Deepak Punia, Karan Rajbhar, Mohit Khatri, and Prashant Singh, played under him in that league, giving the national team a rare advantage in system familiarity.
Gollings has emphasized tactical discipline and conditioning as the cornerstones of India’s preparation. “Sevens rugby demands intensity not just skill but also smart decision-making under pressure. The boys have shown immense progress in understanding the pace and rhythm of international play,” he said during the final camp in Mumbai.
The Squad: Balance of Experience and Energy
India’s 13-member squad for Muscat features a carefully curated mix of veterans and rising talents:
Team India: Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025
- Prashant Singh (Captain)
- Deepak Punia (Vice-Captain)
- Sumit Kumar Roy
- Karan Rajbhar
- Deshraj Singh
- Gaurav Kumar
- Asis Sabar
- Ganesh Majhi
- Hitesh Dagar
- Javed Hussein
- Shivam Shukla
- Jugal Majhi
- Shahnawaz Ahmed
Head Coach: Ben Gollings
Most of these players have progressed through the RPL and age-group national systems. Notably, Sumit Kumar Roy, who captained the U20 men’s team earlier this year, now steps into senior competition underlining India’s commitment to developing continuity between youth and senior levels.
Tactical Edge: Pool Draw and Opponents
India’s placement in Pool C alongside Lebanon and Afghanistan gives them a strategic advantage. Competing in a smaller, three-team pool means fewer games on Day 1, conserving energy for the knockout rounds. India’s first challenge comes against Lebanon, a well-organized side that has performed respectably in West Asian tournaments. However, Gollings’ squad will back their superior fitness and structure to dictate tempo and scoring opportunities.
Their second pool fixture against Afghanistan is expected to test India’s defensive cohesion. India defeated Afghanistan 35–7 in the 2024 edition, and improving that margin will be key, as point differential often determines knockout seeding. For India to advance smoothly, topping the group with dominant wins is non-negotiable. Any slip could complicate their route to the semifinals.
The Bigger Picture: Building a Sustainable Rugby Ecosystem
Beyond the immediate goal of winning gold, the 2025 campaign symbolizes a deeper evolution in Indian rugby’s ecosystem. Two landmark corporate partnerships with Capgemini and NTPC have provided the IRFU with long-term financial stability. Capgemini, serving as the Transformation Partner through 2028, supports both grassroots initiatives and the elite training program. Meanwhile, NTPC’s new CSR agreement (signed in September 2025) funds team development, infrastructure, and international exposure.
Coupled with recognition from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), these partnerships have given the IRFU unprecedented backing. This blend of private investment and state support ensures that Indian rugby’s growth is sustainable from school-level participation to professional pathways.
Victory in Muscat isn’t just about a medal it’s about progress. A gold finish at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy would solidify India’s position as a top emerging rugby nation and strengthen its case for entry into the Asia Rugby Sevens Series, where teams like Japan, Hong Kong China, and South Korea compete.
As Rahul Bose puts it, “This is not just a tournament. It’s a performance audit of everything we’ve built in 2025 — from the RPL to coaching reforms and funding models. Our results in Muscat will define the credibility of Indian rugby’s new era.”
India’s group stage matches vs Lebanon (2:24 PM IST) and vs Afghanistan (5:26 PM IST) will be the first step in that journey. Success in Pool C will set up knockout battles against the likes of Bahrain, Qatar, or Kazakhstan on Day 2. But beyond tactics and structure lies a bigger sentiment pride. For captain Prashant Singh, leading the tricolor into Muscat is about inspiring belief. “We’re not just here to compete; we’re here to prove that Indian rugby belongs on the Asian stage. We’ve trained, sacrificed, and now it’s time to perform,” he said.
The roar of Muscat may be distant, but for Indian rugby, the echoes could be long-lasting. The Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025 is more than a competition it’s a declaration that India’s rise in world rugby has truly begun.
