Mumbai, October 22, 2025: The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) today announced the Senior Men’s Rugby Sevens squad that will represent India at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025, scheduled for October 25-26 in Muscat, Oman.
The tournament will feature 14 men’s teams from across Asia: Afghanistan, Bahrain, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. India enters the competition seeded third and have been drawn in Group C alongside Lebanon and Afghanistan.
Coached by former England Rugby 7s star Ben Gollings, India enter the competition with a strong mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent. Gollings, who most recently led Chennai Bulls to the inaugural edition of the GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) title in June 2025, also served as head coach of the Fiji 7s team from 2022 to 2024. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in rugby sevens history, he set multiple scoring records for England during his international career and now brings his wealth of experience and expertise to guide the Indian squad.
Rahul Bose, President, Indian Rugby Football Union, said:
“With Ben Gollings at the helm, bringing his unparalleled experience as one of the greatest sevens players and coaches in the world, India’s Senior Men’s team is in excellent hands. The squad is motivated and focused on showcasing their skill and determination on the Asian stage, and we are confident that their teamwork and commitment will make a strong statement for Indian rugby.”
Ben Gollings, Head Coach, Indian Senior Men’s Team, said:
“It’s all about the players. Having worked with them earlier this year in the GMR RPL, you could see what a talented, energetic, and committed group they are. It is an exciting opportunity to get to work with them further as a team and see how far we can take Indian rugby. 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.”
Prashant Singh, Captain, said:
“I’m proud to lead this squad for the first time. The team has been training hard and preparing both mentally and physically. We’re excited to represent India, play our best rugby, and show what this group is capable of in Muscat.”
Final Team List:
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, Shivam Shukla
Day 1 Schedule (IST):
2:24 PM – India vs Lebanon
5:26 PM – India vs Afghanistan
Knockout stage matches from 7:10 PM onwards
The Indian squad combines experienced campaigners with emerging talent, building on the domestic success of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) and national sevens championships. With strong preparation under Gollings and a focused leadership group, the team aims to make a significant impact at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Trophy 2025.