Bhubaneswar: Following a promising debut in Hangzhou, where they finished 6th overall, the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has announced the Senior Women’s Rugby Sevens squad for Leg 2 of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series (ARESS) 2025, to be held on October 18–19 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Entering the first leg as 10th seeds, the Indian women’s team impressed with spirited performances, including victories over the Philippines (24–5) and UAE (19–12). Their composure and competitiveness against Asia’s top teams have boosted confidence as they prepare for the Colombo leg.
The ARESS features 12 of Asia’s top national teams, with overall rankings determined by cumulative points across multiple legs.
IRFU President Rahul Bose praised the team’s progress, saying, “To debut in Asia’s premier rugby competition and finish sixth speaks volumes about our players’ commitment and growth. The momentum from Hangzhou will inspire our push towards establishing India among Asia’s elite.”
Head Coach Paul Delport added, “Leg 1 taught us valuable lessons in execution and consistency. The focus now is on translating those learnings into stronger performances in Colombo. The players’ dedication has been exceptional.”
Captain Shikha Yadav echoed the team’s determination, saying, “We’re proud of our start but know there’s more to achieve. We’re heading to Colombo united, confident, and ready to give our best for India.”
The squad for Leg 2 retains its core lineup from Hangzhou, with a few experienced players returning to add depth and stability.
Confirmed Squad:
Shikha Yadav (C), Dumuni Marndi (VC), Amandeep Kaur, Ujjwala Ghuge, Guriya Kumari, Sandhya Rai, Bhumika Shukla, Sandhyarani Tudu, Nirmalya Rout, Arti Kumari, Kalyani Patil, Vaishnavi Patil, Tarulata Naik.
With renewed belief and growing international experience, the Indian Women’s Rugby Sevens team is poised to make a powerful statement in Colombo.
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