The Indian Rugby Football Union has announced the Indian U18 Boys and Girls teams for the Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Rugby 7s Championship 2025, to be held in Hohhot, China, from September 13-14. The teams were selected based on performances in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 (Bihar) and the Junior National Championship 2025 (Dehradun).
These domestic tournaments serve as key platforms for nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to compete at a national level.
Speaking on the announcement, Rahul Bose, President of the Indian Rugby Football Union, highlighted that the U18 squads are the future of Indian rugby. He emphasized the championship’s significance as a chance for the players to compete against Asia’s best teams and pursue their aspirations. Bose congratulated the selected athletes, expressing confidence in their ability to represent India with distinction.
The Boys team will compete in Pool A against formidable opponents like Hong Kong China, China, and Qatar, while the Girls team is set to face Malaysia, Japan, and Uzbekistan in Pool D.
Bidyadhar Majhi, from Odisha, will captain the U18 Boys team, with Sagar Prakash from Bihar as the vice-captain. The team includes newcomers like Pushpendra, Pranav Vilas Gavit, Arun Prajapat, Priyanshu Kumar, and Atma Murmu, alongside experienced players like Ajit Nag, Bharat Kisan, Charan Hembram, Golden Kumar, Sagar Prakash, and Shivam, who previously represented the U20 team.
Anshu Kumari of Bihar will captain the Girls team, supported by Muskan Piploda of Rajasthan as the vice-captain. The team welcomes new faces such as Anita Murmu, Sushila, Anushka, Samriddhi, and Raymani Murmu. The squad will also feature returning players from the U20 team: Aarti Kumari, Alpana Kumari, Anshu Kumari, Mamli Singh, and Muskan Piploda.
The U18 Boys team will be coached by former Australian 7s star Samuel Myers, assisted by Vahbiz Bharucha, a former Indian captain. The Girls team will be coached by Kiano Fory, with Arun Dagar as the assistant coach.
India U18 Boys Team: Bidyadhar Majhi (Captain), Sagar Prakash (Vice-Captain), Ajit Nag, Bharat Kisan, Charan Hembram, Golden Kumar, Shivam, Pushpendra, Pranav Vilas Gavit, Arun Prajapat, Priyanshu Kumar, Atma Murmu.
India U18 Girls Team: Anshu Kumari (Captain), Muskan Piploda (Vice-Captain), Aarti Kumari, Alpana Kumari, Mamli Singh, Anita Murmu, Sushila, Anushka, Samriddhi, Raymani Murmu, Vijayshree Rathore, Saloni Kumari.