Men's team 1st in XVs / 1st in 7s, Women's team 1st in XVs
Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Football Club is an Indian rugby union club based in New Delhi. Established in July 2004, the club is affiliated with the Delhi Rugby Association and operates under the governance framework of the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU). The Delhi Hurricanes compete in national rugby union competitions in both the 15-a-side and 7-a-side formats. Having produced players who have been called up for National Duty and have played in the Rugby Premier League. The club welcomes new player who are looking to play.
Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Football Club was formed in July, 2004 and is affiliated with North India RFU, which is part of the Indian RFU.
Over time, it has emerged as one of the most successful rugby clubs in the country, with sustained participation and success in national-level tournaments.
After winning Division II Trophy, at the Callaghan Cup in 2009, the Delhi Hurricanes are improving rapidly, they reached the 5th place in the All India 2010, in year (2011), they lost against the winner of the competition in the semi-final, They came 2nd in 2014, 3rd in 2015, 2nd again in 2016, Women's team were runner up in the inaugural All India 15s tournament too played in Kolkata. In 2017, they made a history and became 1st club in India's history who won All India and South Asia Rugby Tournament in both Men's and Women's category in the same year.
Infrastructure and Academy
In July 2011, the Delhi Hurricanes inaugurated India’s first full-time dedicated rugby field at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The facility serves as the club’s primary training and competition venue.
The club operates a rugby development programme through the Hurricanes Rugby Academy, based at the same location. The academy focuses on long-term athlete development and has contributed a significant number of players to state and national teams.
Competitive Record
Rugby Union (15s)
The Delhi Hurricanes have achieved multiple podium finishes in national Rugby 15s competitions. The club has won several national titles in the men’s category and has also achieved notable success in women’s rugby.
In 2017, the Delhi Hurricanes became the first club in Indian rugby history to win the national Rugby 15s championship in both the men’s and women’s categories in the same season. The men’s team has continued to secure national championship titles in subsequent years.
The women’s team has remained a consistent competitor at the national level, regularly finishing among the top teams in India.
Rugby Sevens
The club has also been active in Rugby Sevens competitions at both national and international levels. The Delhi Hurricanes have won multiple invitational Rugby Sevens tournaments in India and have represented Indian club rugby overseas.
In 2024, the club achieved international success by winning the Plate competition at the Borneo 7s tournament.
Player Development and National Representation
The Delhi Hurricanes are recognised as a significant contributor to Indian rugby talent development. According to club records, 52 players developed by the club have represented the Indian national rugby teams across various formats.
Players from the club have also represented multiple Indian states in national tournaments. A number of athletes associated with the club have held leadership roles at the national level, including captaincy positions.
Leadership and Coaching Contributions
Several players and coaches associated with the Delhi Hurricanes have served as captains and coaches of Indian national teams. The club has produced multiple former national team captains in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Coaches from the club have also been involved with national teams and professional franchises, including participation as coaching staff during India’s inaugural Rugby Premier League in 2024.
Rugby Premier League
During the inaugural season of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) in 2024, six players from the Delhi Hurricanes represented five different franchise teams. One player from the club received the award for Most Outstanding Player of India during the tournament.
Six Delhi Hurricanes players represented five franchise teams in the inaugural RPL:
Prince Khatri
Neeraj Khatri
Mohit Khatri
Deepak Punia
Mohit Tushir
Javed Hussain – Winner of the “Most Outstanding Player of India” award at the RPL
Squad
Squad to be announced soon. With Captains for Mens for 2026 being:
Neeraj Khatri - Captain
Ajay Deswal - Vice Captain
Bharat Dagar - Forwards Captain
Dishant Dutt - Backs Captain
Legacy and Impact
The Delhi Hurricanes Rugby Football Club is regarded as one of the leading rugby institutions in India, known for its competitive success, player development pathways, and contributions to national teams. The club continues to participate in domestic competitions while maintaining a focus on grassroots and elite rugby development.
Achievements in Rugby 15s
• 2009: The Delhi Hurricanes won the Division II Trophy (Callaghan Cup), marking their emergence on the national stage.
• 2011: The men’s team reached the semi-finals of the All India 15s Championship.
• 2014 & 2016: The men’s team progressed to the finals of the tournament. • 2016: With the introduction of Women’s Rugby 15s by Rugby India, the Delhi Hurricanes women’s team emerged as finalists.
• 2017: In a historic achievement, the Delhi Hurricanes became the first club in Indian rugby history to win the All India 15s Championship in both Men’s and Women’s categories in the same year.
• 2018 & 2019: The men’s team continued its dominance by securing back-to-back titles.
• 2024: The men’s team once again claimed the All India 15s title, reaffirming their supremacy.
• Since 2017, the women’s team has consistently delivered strong performances, frequently finishing as runners-up. National 15s Rugby Championship Era
• 2020–2022: The All India 15s Championship was not held.
• 2023–2024: Rugby India introduced the National 15s Rugby Championship, where the Delhi Hurricanes made a powerful return:
o The men’s team won back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024.
o The women’s team finished third in 2023 and second in 2024.
Success in Rugby Sevens
The Delhi Hurricanes have also established themselves as India’s top-ranked Rugby Sevens team.
• October 2011: They hosted and won the All India 7s Tournament.
• Later that year, they secured another major victory in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, defeating the Jungle Crows in the finals.
• The club has since won numerous invitational tournaments both in India and abroad, most notably becoming Plate Winners at the Borneo 7s in 2024.
State and National Representation
Delhi Hurricanes players regularly represent various states in National Tournaments and Games. Notably, the Haryana State men’s team, largely comprising Hurricanes players, has remained unbeaten since 2012.
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Arjun Mitra
