India eye strong start in inaugural Asia Rugby Sevens in Muscat

Indian rugby takes a confident step forward as Prashant Singh has been named captain of a 13-member national men’s squad for the upcoming Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy, to be held in Muscat, Oman, on October 25–26. The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) announced the team on Wednesday, expressing optimism about the squad’s chances under seasoned coach Ben Gollings, a former England Rugby Sevens star.

India enters the continental event as the third seed and has been placed in Group C, alongside Lebanon and Afghanistan. The team will begin its campaign against Lebanon on October 25. The tournament will feature a total of 13 participating nations, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

Head coach Ben Gollings, who guided the Chennai Bulls to the title in the inaugural GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) earlier this year, brings with him a wealth of international experience. He previously served as the head coach of Fiji’s Sevens team from 2022 to 2024 a stint that strengthened his reputation as one of the sport’s finest tacticians.

“Having Ben Gollings at the helm brings tremendous value,” said Rahul Bose, President of the IRFU. “His global experience as both player and coach gives our boys a unique edge. The team is motivated, disciplined, and eager to make a mark on the Asian stage. We’re confident they will represent India with pride and purpose.”

Sharing his thoughts, Gollings said he was impressed by the squad’s passion and work ethic. “This is a talented and committed group. The preparation has been intense, with a focus on handling pressure, building confidence, and performing consistently. These players are ready to express themselves on the field and make the country proud,” he said.

Indian squad: Prashant Singh (Captain), Deepak Punia (Vice-Captain), Sumit Kumar Roy, Karan Rajbhar, Deshraj Singh, Gaurav Kumar, Asis Sabar, Ganesh Majhi, Hitesh Dagar, Javed Hussein, Shahnawaz Ahmed, Jugal Majhi, and Shivam Shukla.