India U-18 Rugby Teams Ready for Asia Rugby Sevens Challenge in Qingdao

India’s next generation of rugby talent is ready for a major international test as the country’s U-18 boys and girls teams prepare to compete at the Asia Rugby Emirates U-18 Sevens Championship 2026 in Qingdao, China, on September 5 and 6.

The tournament will bring together 17 teams across the boys and girls competitions, giving India's young players an important opportunity to test themselves against some of the leading Sevens nations in Asia.

For the Indian contingent, the championship represents more than a two-day competition. It is a crucial development platform for players who are expected to progress into the senior national setup in the coming years. The squads were finalized following an intensive national coaching camp that began on July 26 at KIIT in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with the coaching staff using the extended preparation period to build combinations, sharpen decision-making and develop the physical and tactical qualities required for international Sevens rugby.

India U-18 Boys face Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka

The Indian U-18 boys have been placed in Group A, where they will face Hong Kong China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The presence of Hong Kong China adds considerable significance to the group. Hong Kong China were among last year's finalists, making them one of the toughest opponents India could have drawn in the opening stage.

India will also face Malaysia and Sri Lanka, meaning every group match will be important in determining their route into the knockout and classification stages on September 6. Head coach Gray Cornelius believes the squad has made significant progress during its preparation in Bhubaneswar.

“The boys have worked extremely hard over the past few weeks and have shown great commitment throughout the camp,” Cornelius said.

He added that the players understand the responsibility associated with representing India and are now looking forward to translating their preparation into performances in China. For the boys, the tournament provides an opportunity to establish themselves against regional opposition while gaining experience in the intensity and speed of international Sevens rugby.

The Indian U-18 girls enter the championship with an even more defined objective. India have been drawn in Group D alongside Hong Kong China, UAE and Malaysia, and the team will be looking to go one step further than its performance last year. India finished fourth in the previous edition, narrowly missing the podium after losing to Hong Kong China in the third-place playoff.

That result will provide additional motivation for the squad in Qingdao. Head coach Kiano Fourie said the group has developed significantly during the national camp, with particular emphasis placed on connection, trust and decision-making.

The coach believes the players have grown in confidence throughout the preparation and are ready to improve on last year's fourth-place finish. With Hong Kong China again in India's group, the draw offers the girls an opportunity to measure their progress against the same opposition that denied them a medal last year.

Rugby India President Rahul Bose has underlined the long-term importance of the championship.

“These are the players who will go on to represent India at the senior level in the years to come,” Bose said.

That pathway is particularly important in Sevens rugby, where exposure to international competition at a young age can accelerate a player's development. The Qingdao tournament will therefore provide the Indian players with experience of international match pressure, different playing styles and the demands of competing over a condensed two-day Sevens programme.

For the coaching staff, the challenge will be to ensure that the players can execute under pressure after several weeks of preparation. For the players, it is an opportunity to make an impression on the international stage.

The group stages will take place on September 5, before the knockout and classification matches on September 6. The Indian boys begin their campaign against Malaysia at 6:30 AM IST, followed by a clash against Hong Kong China at 10:15 AM. Their final group match is against Sri Lanka at 1:10 PM.

The girls open their campaign against Malaysia at 9:00 AM IST, before facing UAE at 12:20 PM and Hong Kong China at 4:05 PM. Every match will be available to watch live through Asia Rugby's YouTube channel and RugbyPass TV, giving Indian rugby fans an opportunity to follow the country's emerging talent.

With nine teams competing in the boys' competition and eight in the girls' event, the championship promises a demanding test for both Indian sides. For the boys, the immediate challenge is negotiating a difficult group featuring last year's finalists. For the girls, the mission is clear: convert last year's near-podium finish into a genuine medal challenge.

Either way, Qingdao represents an important step in the development of India's next generation of international rugby players.

India U-18 Boys Squad

Rohit Kumar (Captain), Ajit Nag (Vice-Captain), Arun, Bajrangi Kumar, Eswar Pujari, Pankaj Sansi, Pawan Raj, Pranav Gavit, Priyanshu Mishra, Rahul Majhi, Ritesh Powar, Shubham Kumar.

India U-18 Girls Squad

Saloni Kumari (Captain), Anita Murmu (Vice-Captain), Aditi Londhe, Arti Kumari, Beauty Kumari, Dipali Tathe, Khameswari Majhi, Kirti Jadhav, Namrata Bhudiya, Simaran Parveen, Sumitra Murmu, Sushila.

India's Schedule September 5

U-18 Boys: 6:30 AM IST — India vs Malaysia; 10:15 AM IST — India vs Hong Kong China; 1:10 PM IST — India vs Sri Lanka.

U-18 Girls: 9:00 AM IST — India vs Malaysia; 12:20 PM IST — India vs UAE; 4:05 PM IST — India vs Hong Kong China.

September 6: Knockout and classification stages.