Rugby Premier League will commence on June 15 in Mumbai, with the final of the six-team event slated on June 29.
The Rugby Premier League (RPL) is a game-changer for the sport’s fortunes in India. With the world’s best players and coaches coming for the tournament, it affords India’s most talented rugby players a chance to rub shoulders with some of the legends in the sport. The Rugby Premier League is the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens league.
The much-awaited Rugby Premier League’s first season will begin on June 15, and the final will be played on June 29 in Mumbai at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex). The first season of the Rugby Premier League will feature 34 matches, featuring 30 Indian players selected from an auction of 71 players.
Here’s a look at the best Indian players who are participating in the Rugby Premier League season 1.
Mohit Khatri – Bengaluru Bravehearts
Mohit, the most expensive player in the RPL Season 1 Player Auction, is one of India’s best rugby players and has been appointed captain of the national team in 2024. Hailing from Kundli in Sonipat district of Haryana, he has captained the men’s team at the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy (ARST) 2024 held in Nepal and helped Haryana’s rugby team win three gold medals at the National Games.
Having started his journey in the sport at the age of 13, Mohit was also part of the Indian team that went through Olympic qualifiers in Japan in 2023. Introduced to the sport by his brother, Mohit’s story is that of determination, unshakeable faith, passion, and now the pressure of being the most expensive Indian player in the GMR Rugby Premier League.
Prince Khatri – Hyderabad Heroes
Among the most experienced Indian rugby players in the RPL, Prince Khatri made his national team debut in 2012. He’s been a part of the Indian team for the Asia Rugby Sevens starting from 2014 for a total of eight times and the Asia Rugby 15s Championship for a total of eight times starting in 2012.
Prince, a former India captain, has represented Delhi Hurricanes, South African Club All-Stars, Hong Kong Scottish Club at the international level, and Team India FCC from 2013 till recently in Borneo 7s Malaysia (Delhi Hurricanes) in 2024.
Prince has been a part of the Haryana team that has won four consecutive gold medals at the National Games, and is also an eight-time Senior National Rugby Sevens Champion with Haryana.
Ganesh Majhi – Mumbai Dreamers
Captain of the India U20 rugby team in 2023, Ganesh Majhi hails from the Bonda tribe in Malkangiri, Odisha, and his selection is a source of pride for the tribal community. Ganesh’s selection for the RPL was considered a historic moment for Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, which has been supporting the sport for the last two decades.
After making a mark in the age-group teams, Ganesh has successfully transitioned to the senior team set-up as well, and will be turning out for the Mumbai Dreamers in Season 1 of the RPL.
Asis Sabar – Kalinga Black Tigers
Much like Ganesh, one of Odisha’s best rugby players is Asis Sabar, who will be representing his home franchise, Kalinga Black Tigers. Born in 2004, Asis also hails Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences. Asis Sabar, a UG 2nd year Arts student from the Sabar tribe (Kalahandi), was secured by the Kalinga Black Tigers at the player Auction.
Deepak Punia – Delhi Redz
One of the mainstays of the Indian rugby sevens team, Deepak Punia, who hails from Haryana, started playing the sport from the age of 15. In his years of development, Deepak has played in countries like Hong Kong, Thailand, and Qatar.
When not playing rugby, Deepak doubles up as a strength and conditioning coach to support his family. He had also suffered a long-term injury while playing a club tournament and was advised by his family to quit rugby, but he never gave up and took one and a half years to recover and get back to the sport.
Vallabh Patil – Chennai Bulls
Chennai Bulls bought Vallabh in the auction. He made his debut for India at the Asia Rugby Men’s 15s Championship Division-1 in 2024. A rugby player with plenty of heart and hustle in his genes, Vallabh, who hails from Maharashtra, is one of the most confident players in the Indian set-up and is also a certified coach in athletics.
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