Haryana Reclaim National Rugby Sevens Crown With Nervy 17-12 Win Over Maharashtra in Rajgir Final

Haryana are the Senior National Rugby Sevens champions once again. In a final that delivered everything the occasion promised intensity, drama, late tension and moments of individual brilliance.

Haryana edged past Maharashtra 17-12 at the State Sports Complex in Rajgir to reclaim the national title and avenge their runners-up finish from the previous year. It was a fitting conclusion to the 13th edition of the Senior National Rugby Sevens Championship, an event that, by all accounts, showcased Indian rugby at the highest domestic level it has yet reached.

The final was tight from the first whistle. Haryana drew first blood through Neeraj Khatri, whose early try set the tone for a performance built on controlled aggression and smart game management. Maharashtra, never willing to concede ground, hit back through Sunil Chawan to level the contest and announce that this final would not be settled without a fight. Mohit Khatri restored Haryana's advantage, and when Ajay Deswal crossed for a crucial try converted by Deepak Kumar Punia Haryana had built what appeared to be a decisive cushion heading into the closing stages.

Maharashtra, to their enormous credit, refused to accept the result lying down. Prashant Singh crashed over for a try, and Shridhar Nigade's conversion made it 17-12, setting up a frenetic finish. For several minutes, Maharashtra pressed with everything they had, looking for the score that would level the contest. Haryana, having tasted the bitterness of a final defeat last year, were not about to let this one slip. They held their defensive line, managed the clock intelligently, and closed the game out with the composure of deserving champions.

The road to the final had been equally compelling. In the semifinals, Haryana produced a stunning 38-0 demolition of Rajasthan a scoreline that spoke to both their attacking depth and their defensive organisation throughout the tournament. Maharashtra's path was no less impressive, dispatching defending champions West Bengal 36-5 in the other semi to book their place in what became a repeat of the 2021 final between these two consistent giants of Indian rugby.

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West Bengal, despite the heavy defeat against Maharashtra, recovered with admirable character in the third-place playoff, beating Rajasthan 26-5 to claim the bronze medal and finish on the podium for another consecutive year a result that reflects the sustained quality of their programme.

Individually, Rajan Rawat of Rajasthan was the tournament's standout performer with the ball in hand, finishing as the top scorer with 76 points from eight tries and 18 conversions a tally of remarkable consistency across multiple knockout rounds. Maharashtra's Shridhar Nigade finished second on the scoring charts with 59 points, while West Bengal's Karan Rajbhar rounded out the top three with 55 points. The quality and volume of attacking play across the tournament underlined just how far the technical standards of Indian rugby have risen.

Rugby India President Rahul Bose, speaking at the closing ceremony, offered perhaps the most telling assessment of where Indian rugby now stands. "Players are faster, stronger, and fitter. They have greater skill on the run, defences are more technical and fearless, and almost every team has realised the importance of playing to a structure," he said, adding his congratulations to Haryana and to Odisha, who claimed the Women's title. 

The observation about structure is a particularly significant one structured, system-based rugby is the hallmark of competitive nations at the international level, and its emergence at the domestic level in India signals that the sport is maturing in the right ways.

The choice of Rajgir, Bihar as the venue for this edition carries its own symbolic weight. Hosting a national championship in a state that is not traditionally associated with rugby's Indian heartlands while drawing dignitaries from the state legislature and local administration speaks to the sport's expanding geographic footprint and Rugby India's deliberate effort to grow the game beyond its established centres.

For Haryana, the trophy returns home after a year's absence. For Indian rugby, the 13th Senior National Rugby Sevens Championship represents something more enduring evidence that the sport is growing, deepening, and building the kind of competitive culture that produces champions.