Mumbai/Patna: The Indian Rugby Football Union has announced the national U18 Boys and Girls squads for the Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Rugby 7s Championship 2025, scheduled for September 13-14 in Hohhot, China.
The teams were finalised following an intensive national coaching camp that began on August 1 at the Sports Authority of India’s Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre in Kolkata. The camp focused on technical skills, physical conditioning, and team cohesion to prepare the players for some of Asia’s strongest rugby nations.
Domestic competitions, including the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar and the Junior National Championships 2025 in Dehradun, played a pivotal role in identifying and shortlisting players for the camp. These tournaments have become key pathways in India’s rugby structure, providing young athletes with competitive exposure and a chance to earn national selection.
Rahul Bose, President of the Indian Rugby Football Union, said: “Our U18 Boys and Girls squads represent the future of Indian rugby. This tournament is definitive for them to test themselves against the best in Asia and to grow their ambitions as athletes and individuals. The Khelo India Youth Games and our Junior Nationals have been crucial in creating these opportunities, ensuring that talent from across the country gets spotted and nurtured. My heartfelt congratulations to every player selected, and I wish them the very best as they carry the Indian flag onto the international stage.”
The U18 Boys team has been drawn in Pool A alongside Hong Kong China, China, and Qatar. Odisha’s Bidyadhar Majhi will captain the team, with Bihar’s Sagar Prakash as Vice-Captain. Several players, including Pushpender, Pranav Vilas Gavit, Arun Prajapat, Priyanshu Kumar, and Attma Murmu, will make their first international appearances. Returning U20 players Ajit Nag, Bharat Kisan, Charan Hembram, Goldan Kumar, Sagar Prakash, and Shivam strengthen the squad.
Bidyadhar Majhi said: “It’s a huge honour to lead India at the U18 level. We’ve trained hard as a unit, and the entire team is determined to give our best on the field. Playing against strong sides like Hong Kong China and China will push us to raise our game, and we’re ready for the challenge.”
The U18 Girls team, placed in Pool D with Malaysia, Japan, and Uzbekistan, will be led by Bihar’s Anshu Kumari and Rajasthan’s Muskan Piploda as Vice-Captain. First-time call-ups include Anita Murmu, Sushila, Anushka, Samruddhi, and Raimani Murmu, while returning U20 players Aarti Kumari, Alpana Kumari, Anshu Kumari, Mamali Singh, and Muskan Piploda provide experience and leadership.
Captain Anshu Kumari said: “Captaining India at this level is a dream come true. Our team has bonded really well in camp, and we are confident about taking on the big teams. We want to play fearless rugby and make our country proud.”
The U18 Boys team is coached by former Australian 7s star Samuel Myres, with former Indian captain Vahbiz Bharucha as assistant coach. The U18 Girls team is led by Kiano Fourie, assisted by Arun Dagar.
Final Squads
India U18 Boys Team: Bidyadhar Majhi (C), Sagar Prakash (VC), Ajit Nag, Bharat Kisan, Charan Hembram, Goldan Kumar, Shivam, Pushpender, Pranav Vilas Gavit, Arun Prajapat, Priyanshu Kumar, Attma Murmu
India U18 Girls Team: Anshu Kumari (C), Muskan Piploda (VC), Aarti Kumari, Alpana Kumari, Mamali Singh, Anita Murmu, Sushila, Anushka, Samruddhi, Raimani Murmu, Vijayshree Rathore, Saloni Kumari
