Union | Rugby India | ||
---|---|---|---|
Head coach | Naas Botha [1] | ||
Captain | Vikas Khatri | ||
| |||
World Rugby ranking | |||
Current | 86 (as of 3rd July 2023) | ||
First international | |||
Singapore 85–0 India (26 October 1998) | |||
Biggest win | |||
India 92–0 Pakistan (14 June 2008) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Singapore 85–0 India (26 October 1998) |
The India national rugby union team is the national team representing India in the international rugby championships and matches. It is governed by Rugby India organization which is recognised by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of government of India.
It was admitted to the IRB in 1999, but it took four years before India won a match, beating Pakistan 56–3 in the third tier competition of the Asian Biennial tournament. [2]
Rugby union in India dates back to a scratch match or two played in Calcutta and Madras during the visit of MS Galatea in 1871. The first recorded match was played on Christmas Day 1872, at CFC in Kolkata, it was played between England and a combined team of Scotland, Ireland and Wales. [3]
The national team was not started until 1998 however when the India national team played Singapore in Singapore, they lost 85–0. The team were then admitted into the International Rugby Board in 2001 and then in 2003 the team undertook its first UK tour. This consisted of playing three sides from the Midlands which all resulted in large defeats, including a staggering 153–0 defeat from a Leicester Tigers XV at Welford Road. [4] They also failed to score a single try during their visit. Despite the sheer lack of success, the head did have some positive words, stating: "It's all a learning process for us. The difference in size and body weight between the two teams was huge, but when we get back to Asia we'll be playing against teams roughly our own size." In 2007 India attempted to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Scotland, and Wales. They were placed in Asian Division 3, Pool B for the qualifiers in which India finished second of four teams with 1 win, 1 tie, and 1 loss. As only the first place team moved on to the second qualification round India was officially knocked out of the 2007 World Cup. [5]
In 2005, they started their attempt to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but a 22–36 loss to Kazakhstan sent them out of the running for that tournament. They also were disappointed with an 8–8 tie in Guam, but still managed to finish second in their group of four teams thanks to beating Malaysia 48–12. However, as only the top team in the group qualified for the next stage, India were out. [6]
In 2008 the India Rugby Union Team attempted to qualify for the Rugby World Cup again. This time though qualification was different as instead of the group stage India had to play in the 2008 Asian Five Nations and win it in order to move on to Round 2 in qualification. India though lost their first match against Thailand and had to settle for 3rd place after a 2nd place match win against Pakistan in which India achieved their biggest ever victory as they beat Pakistan 92–0. [7]
In 2019, South Africa legend and former South Africa national rugby union team player Nass Botha became the head coach of Indian men's and women's national teams. Under his supervision Rugby India held practice sessions, tryouts in different part of the India. As per Botha, India have to play at least 10-12 matches per year per season. India have 1.3 billion people, the country can form a competitive national team. 800 schools in the country have rugby 7 teams, these schools also have to make 15 players teams, It will increase talent pool. Even if 50-100 started their 15 player side. [8]
India does not have its own personal stadium to use. When they play they usually do on local university fields throughout India. [9]
India have worn dark blue and black for all of their Rugby Union games since 2011 and prior to that, from 1998 to 2010, they used the traditional Indian sports colours of light blue and white. At present, the shirt and socks are dark blue and the shorts are black. [10]
India has never played in the Rugby World Cup but they have attempted twice in 2005 and 2008 to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and 2011 Rugby World Cups respectively.
Year | Host | Champion | India Finish | Results |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987 to 2003 | Various | Various | did not participate | |
2007 ( Asian Qualification ) | Various | Kazakhstan | Second in division 3 Pool B Round 1a | did not qualify |
2011 ( Asian Qualification ) | Thailand | Thailand | Third in first round | did not qualify |
2015 ( Asian Qualification ) | Various | Thailand | Second in division 2 and 3 | did not qualify |
2019 ( Asian Qualification ) | Various | Various | did not participate | |
2023 ( Asian Qualification ) | Various | Hong Kong | Not eligible for main tournament | did not qualify |
2027 ( Asian Qualification ) | Various | TBC | TBC |
India competes annually in the Asia Rugby Championship, which is a rugby union competition held amongst national rugby sides within the Asia Rugby region. India participated in the inaugural 2008 Asian Five Nations (as it was then known) competing in the Second Division, finishing in third place, and missing out on being promoted. During the 2009 Asian Five Nations India again finished in 3rd place in the Second Division but then during the 2010 Asian Five Nations India just lost out on promotion to Division 1 when they were beaten 34–12 by the Philippines in the final game. They then suffered a setback in 2011 Asian Five Nations as they were relegated to Division 3 after losing both their matches in Second Division tournament. In 2012 India were successful in winning the Third Division tournament earning a promotion back to Division 2 the following year. In 2013 they finished fourth in the Second Division tournament, relegating them back to the third division. In 2014 the Division 3 tournament was split into an East and West competition, with four teams in each. India finished in fourth place in the Division 3 West tournament. In 2015 the Division 3 tournament was split into three brackets, East, West and Central, with three teams in each. India competed in the Central tournament, however due to the withdrawal of Pakistan the remaining teams India and Uzbekistan played two matches against each other. As both team scored respective victories India was declared the winner on points difference. In 2016 the Division 3 tournament was split into four competitions, East, Central, West and West-Central. India plays in the South-Central bracket where it is scheduled to compete against Pakistan. [11]
Year | Host | Champion | India Record (W–L) | India Finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | Singapore | Singapore | 0–3 | 6th Place in Division 2 |
2002 | Thailand | Thailand | 0–3 | 7th Place in Division 2 |
2004 | Hong Kong | China | 1–1 | 3rd Place in Division 3 |
2007 | Sri Lanka | Iran | 1–1 | 2nd Place in Division 3 |
2008 | Thailand | Thailand | 1–1 | 3rd Place in Division 2 |
2009 | Malaysia | Malaysia | 1–1 | 3rd Place in Division 2 |
2010 | India | Philippines | 1–1 | 2nd Place in Division 2 |
2011 | Thailand | Chinese Taipei | 0–2 | 4th Place in Division 2 |
2012 | Indonesia | India | 2–0 | 1st Place in Division 3 |
2013 | Malaysia | Singapore | 0–2 | 4th Place in Division 2 |
2014 | Pakistan | Lebanon | 1–1 | 3rd Place in Division 3 West |
2015 | Uzbekistan | India | 1–1 | 1st Place in Division 3 Central |
2017 | Chinese Taipei | Singapore | 0–2 | 4th Place in Division 2 |
2018 | Thailand | Chinese Taipei | 0–2 | 3rd Place in Division 2 |
2019 | Indonesia | China | 1–1 | 2nd Place in Division 3 East-South |
2022 | India | India | 2–0 | 1st Place in Division 3 South |
2023 | Qatar | Qatar | 0–2 | 3rd Place in Division 2 |
2024 | Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka | 0–2 | 4th Place in Division 1 |
The Test match record against all nations, updated to 4 May 2024, is as follows: [12] [13]
Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arabian Gulf | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
China | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% |
Chinese Taipei | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% |
Guam | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66.67% |
Indonesia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
Iran | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% |
Kazakhstan | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
Malaysia | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% |
Nepal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
Pakistan | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
Philippines | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
Qatar | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
Singapore | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
Sri Lanka | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% |
Thailand | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0% |
Uzbekistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33% |
Total | 54 | 16 | 37 | 1 | 29.63% |
The squad selected for 2024 Asia Rugby Championship Division 1. [14]
No. | Player | Club |
---|---|---|
1 | Sanket Patil | Bombay Gymkhana |
2 | Vallabh Patil | Bombay Gymkhana |
3 | Suraj Prasad | CCFC |
4 | Harvinder Singh | CCFC |
5 | Devendra Padir | CCFC |
6 | Bhupinder Singh | CCFC |
7 | Hitesh Dagar (vc) | Delhi Hurricanes |
8 | Javed Hussain | Delhi Hurricanes |
9 | Shivam Shukla | Delhi Hurricanes |
10 | Bhupendra Bokan | Delhi Hurricanes |
11 | Deepak Punia (c) | Delhi Hurricanes |
12 | Mohit Khatri | Delhi Hurricanes |
13 | Neeraj Khatri | Delhi Hurricanes |
14 | Prince Khatri | Delhi Hurricanes |
15 | Bharat Dagar | Delhi Hurricanes |
16 | Mannu Tanwar | Delhi Hurricanes |
17 | Pradeep Tanwar | Delhi Hurricanes |
18 | Joginder | Delhi Hurricanes |
19 | Abhishek Shukla | Delhi Hurricanes |
20 | Prabal Giri | Delhi Rebels |
21 | Sukumar Hembrom | FH Harlequins |
22 | Rajdeep Saha | FH Harlequins |
23 | Sakti Nag | FH Harlequins |
24 | Asis Sabar | KISS |
25 | Ajit Hansdah | KISS |
26 | Suresh Kumar | Services |
The Cricket World Cup is the international championship of One Day International (ODI) cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), every four years, with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament. The tournament is one of the world's most viewed sporting events and considered as the "flagship event of the international cricket calendar" by the ICC. It is widely considered the pinnacle championship of the sport of cricket.
The Currie Cup is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces. Although it is the premier domestic competition, four South African franchises also compete in the United Rugby Championship competition, including for the 'South African Shield'. for the highest placed South African team.
The India national football team represents India in men's international football and is governed by the All India Football Federation.
The United Arab Emirates men's national cricket team is the team that represents the United Arab Emirates in international cricket. They are governed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) which became an Affiliate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1989 and an Associate Member the following year. Since 2005, the ICC's headquarters have been located in Dubai.
The Afghanistan men's national cricket team represents Afghanistan in international cricket. Cricket has been played in Afghanistan since the mid-19th century, but it was only in the early 21st century that the national team began to enjoy success. The Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995, becoming an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2001 and a member of the cricket confederation, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2003. After nearly a decade of playing international cricket, on 22 June 2017 full ICC membership was granted to Afghanistan. Alongside Ireland, this took the number of Test cricket playing nations to twelve. Afghanistan is the first country to achieve Full Member status after holding Affiliate Membership of the ICC. In view of the persistent conflict and insecurity in Afghanistan, following this status, the team moved to a new home ground in Dehradun, in India. The current home ground of the Afghanistan Men's Cricket team is the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
The Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), also known as Rugby India, is the governing body for sport of rugby union in India. It is situated at Marine Lines, Mumbai in Maharashtra.
The Philippines national rugby union team, nicknamed the "Volcanoes", represents the Philippines in international rugby union. The Philippines have been playing in the Asia Rugby Championship since 2006 when the team was first created. In 2012 they won the Division I championship and were promoted to the top 5 for the 2013 tournament where they earned 4th place and again in the 2014 tournament. The Philippines have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup.
The India–Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. Showdowns between the teams are considered some of the biggest matches in the world, and are among the most-viewed sport games. It is often termed as the El Clásico of cricket.
The Sri Lanka national rugby union team, known as the Tuskers, represents Sri Lanka in men's international rugby union. The team has yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup. They have the longest tradition of organised club rugby in Asia, dating back to 1879, which was just 8 years after the founding of the world's first rugby union in England. They regularly compete in the Asian Five Nations tournament and are currently in Division I. In the 2010 tournament, they made it to the finals beating Chinese Taipei 37 to 7.
The Guam national rugby union team represents the United States territory of Guam in international rugby union. They have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, though they have attempted to qualify for the World Cup.
The Thailand national rugby union team has not played at the Rugby World Cup, but have been playing in qualifying tournaments since the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales.
The Pakistan national rugby union team represents Pakistan in international rugby union. Pakistan is a member of the International Rugby Board (IRB), and have yet to play in a Rugby World Cup tournament. As of 2021, they will play in Division II of the Asian championships, having been promoted from Division III in 2019.
Rugby union in Asia is governed by the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU). As of December 2009 there are 28 ARFU member unions, of whom 15 are full members of World Rugby, and six further associate members of World Rugby in Asia. The flagship tournament for promoting the sport in Asia is the Asian Five Nations, which launched in 2008, and which most recently in 2011 saw the national teams of Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and the UAE, compete in the main tournament.
The Indonesia national rugby union team represents Indonesia in rugby union. They are nicknamed the "Rhinos". The team is a full member of World Rugby. They have yet to play in the Rugby World Cup. The Indonesian squad was formed in 2006 to attend the IRB sanctioned Six Division Asian Rugby Football Tournament between Brunei, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia. They currently compete in Division 3 South-East in the Asian Rugby Football Union.
Rugby union in India is a minor sport. However, it is a fast-growing sport as some Indian sporting clubs are beginning to embrace the game. Rugby union was the second most popular winter sport after association football in India, but now it is played in the shadow of the football team.
Rugby union in Sri Lanka is mainly played at a semi-professional and recreational level. It is a popular team sport with a history dating back to 1879. In 2012, according to International Rugby Board figures, there were over 160,000 registered rugby union players in Sri Lanka, making it the second largest rugby-playing nation in Asia, behind Japan.
Sport in Sri Lanka is a significant part of Sri Lankan culture. Although the Sports Ministry named volleyball the national sport, the most popular sport is Cricket. Rugby union is also popular. Other popular sports are water sports, badminton, athletics, football, basketball and tennis. Sri Lanka's schools and colleges regularly organize sports and athletics teams, competing on provincial and national levels.
The India national under-20 football team, also known as India Under-20s or India U20(s), represents India at all under-20 football tournaments. They act as the main feeder team for the India national under-23 football team and the senior India national football team.
In the Asian Region for 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying, Japan took the sole qualification spot, Asia 1 by winning Round 3: 2014 Asian Five Nations, while second placed Hong Kong qualified for the repechage playoff.
The 2022 Asia Rugby Championship was the sixth tri-nations series of rugby union matches for the top-level Asia Rugby nations. Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the series was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021.
Cited sources
Further reading