Vinod4324 at 14:23, 26 August 2023

2023-08-26T14:23:50Z

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{{Short description| National men's rugby team of India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox national rugby team
|Name = India
|Badge = Indian Rugby Logo.jpg
|imagesize = 200px
|Union = [[Rugby India]]
|nickname =
|emblem =
|ground = [[Kalinga Stadium]]
|capacity = 50,000
|Coach = [[Naas Botha]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/10-12-international-matches-is-the-minimum-required-for-any-national-team-says-naas-botha/story-uBPdCylf3E4qMtr1mYl7zJ.html | title=10–12 international matches is the minimum required for any national team, says Naas Botha | date=13 July 2019 | access-date=18 October 2022 | archive-date=18 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018050641/https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/10-12-international-matches-is-the-minimum-required-for-any-national-team-says-naas-botha/story-uBPdCylf3E4qMtr1mYl7zJ.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
|Captain = Vikas Khatri
|Matches = 35
|Wins = 10
|Loss = 24
|Draw = 01
|pattern_la1 =
|pattern_b1 =
|pattern_ra1 =
|pattern_sh1 =
|pattern_so1 =
|leftarm1 = 0000FF
|body1 = 0000FF
|rightarm1 = 0000FF
|shorts1 = 000000
|socks1 = 0000FF
|pattern_b2 =
|pattern_ra2 =
|pattern_sh2 =
|pattern_so2 =
|leftarm2 =
|body2 =
|rightarm2 =
|shorts2 =
|socks2 =
| World Rugby Rank = 86
| World Rugby Rank date = 3rd July 2023
|First game = {{ru|SIN}} 85–0 {{ru-rt|IND}}<br/> (26 October 1998)
|Largest win = {{ru|IND}} 92–0 {{ru-rt|PAK}}<br/> (14 June 2008)
|Largest loss = {{ru|SIN}} 85–0 {{ru-rt|IND}}<br/> (26 October 1998)
|IRB Ranking= 68
|Highest IRB Rank = 65
| World cup apps = 0
|year =
|best =
|ntupdate = 24 December 2021
}}

'''India national rugby union team''' is a national team that represents 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 [[International Rugby Board|IRB]] in 2001, but it took three years before [[India]] won a match, beating [[Pakistan national rugby union team|Pakistan]] 56–3 in the third tier competition of the Asian Biennial tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiarugby.com/|title=Indiarughby.com|access-date=19 July 2021|archive-date=21 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721040124/http://indiarugby.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2005, they started their attempt to qualify for the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]], but a 22–36 loss to [[Kazakhstan national rugby union team|Kazakhstan]] sent them out of the running for that tournament. They also were disappointed with an 8–8 tie in [[Guam national rugby union team|Guam]], but still managed to finish second in their group of four teams thanks to beating [[Malaysia rugby union team|Malaysia]] 48–12. However, as only the top team in the group qualified for the next stage, India were out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiarugby.com/unions/india/|title=Asiarugby.com|access-date=19 July 2021|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719152836/https://www.asiarugby.com/unions/india/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History ==
{{Main|Rugby in india}}
[[Rugby union]] in India dates back to a scratch match or two played in [[Kolkata|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 national rugby union team|England]] and a combined team of Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

The national team was not started until 1998 however when the India national team played [[Singapore national rugby union team|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. 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 [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification#Division 3 Pool B .282005.29|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.

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 national rugby union team|Thailand]] and had to settle for 3rd place after a 2nd place match win against [[Pakistan national rugby union team|Pakistan]] in which India achieved their biggest ever victory as they beat Pakistan 92–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/no-politics-only-sport-as-indiapak-meet-on-another-field/|title=No politics,only sport as India-Pak meet on another field|access-date=4 February 2023|archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304114510/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/print/no-politics-only-sport-as-indiapak-meet-on-another-field/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-13 |title=10–12 international matches is the minimum required for any national team, says Naas Botha |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/10-12-international-matches-is-the-minimum-required-for-any-national-team-says-naas-botha/story-uBPdCylf3E4qMtr1mYl7zJ.html |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018050641/https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/10-12-international-matches-is-the-minimum-required-for-any-national-team-says-naas-botha/story-uBPdCylf3E4qMtr1mYl7zJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Stadium==
[[File:Rugby players from Odisha.jpg|thumb|Rugby players from Odisha]]
India does not have its own personal stadium to use. When they play they usually do on local [[university]] fields throughout India.

==Strip==
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.

==Record==

===Asia Rugby Championship===
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 [[2008 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division2|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 [[2009 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|Second Division]] but then during the [[2010 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|2010 Asian Five Nations]] India just lost out on promotion to Division 1 when they were beaten 34–12 by the [[Philippines national rugby union team|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 [[2011 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|Second Division tournament]]. In 2012 India were successful in winning the [[2012 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 3|Third Division]] tournament earning a promotion back to Division 2 the following year. In 2013 they finished fourth in the [[2013 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|Second Division]] tournament, relegating them back to the third division. In 2014 the [[2014 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 3|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 [[2015 Asian Rugby Championship Division Tournaments#Division 3 Central|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 national rugby union team|Pakistan]] the remaining teams India and [[Uzbekistan national rugby union team|Uzbekistan]] played two matches against each other. As both team scored respective victories India was declared the winner on points difference. In 2016 the [[2016 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments#Division 3|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/thus-far-hath-rugby-travelled-in-india-with-rugby-catching-popular-imagination-sees-slow-revival-115072200696_1.html|title=Thus far hath rugby travelled in India (With: Rugby catching popular imagination, sees slow revival)|access-date=4 February 2023|archive-date=4 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304114728/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/thus-far-hath-rugby-travelled-in-india-with-rugby-catching-popular-imagination-sees-slow-revival-115072200696_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{|class = "wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Year
!Host
!Champion
!India Record (W–L)
!India Finish
|-
|[[1998 ARFU Asian Rugby Championship#Second Division|1998]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore national rugby union team|Singapore]]
|0–3
|6th Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2002 ARFU Asian Rugby Championship#Second Division|2002]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand national rugby union team|Thailand]]
|0–3
|7th Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2004 ARFU Asian Rugby Championship#Third division ("Bowl")|2004]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Hong Kong]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|China}} [[China national rugby union team|China]]
|1–1
|3rd Place in Division 3
|-
|[[2006–07 ARFU Asian Rugby Championship#Shield|2007]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Sri Lanka}} [[Sri Lanka]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Iran national rugby union team|Iran]]
|1–1
|2nd Place in Division 3
|-
|[[2008 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|2008]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand national rugby union team|Thailand]]
|1–1
|3rd Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2009 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|2009]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Malaysia]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Malaysia national rugby union team|Malaysia]]
|1–1
|3rd Place in Division 2
|-
|style="border: 3px solid red"|[[2010 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|2010]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Philippines national rugby union team|Philippines]]
|1–1
|2nd Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2011 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|2011]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Chinese Taipei}} [[Chinese Taipei national rugby union team|Chinese Taipei]]
|0–2
|4th Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2012 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 3|2012]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Indonesia]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|India}} India
|2–0
|1st Place in Division 3
|-
|[[2013 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 2|2013]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Malaysia}} [[Malaysia]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore national rugby union team|Singapore]]
|0–2
|4th Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2014 Asian Five Nations division tournaments#Division 3|2014]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Pakistan]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Lebanon}} [[Lebanon national rugby union team|Lebanon]]
|1–1
|3rd Place in Division 3 West
|-
|[[2015 Asian Rugby Championship Division Tournaments#Division 3 Central|2015]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Uzbekistan}} [[Uzbekistan]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|India}} India
|1–1
|1st Place in Division 3 Central
|-
|[[2017 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments#Division 2|2017]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Chinese Taipei}} [[Chinese Taipei]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore national rugby union team|Singapore]]
|0–2
|4th Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2018 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments#Division 2|2018]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thailand]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Chinese Taipei}} [[Chinese Taipei national rugby union team|Chinese Taipei]]
|0–2
|3rd Place in Division 2
|-
|[[2019 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments#Division 3 East-South|2019]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Indonesia}} [[Indonesia]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|China}} [[China national rugby union team|China]]
|1–1
|2nd Place in Division 3 East-South
|-
|style="border: 3px solid red"|[[2022 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments#Division 3|2022]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|India}} [[India]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|India}} India
|2–0
|1st Place in Division 3 South
|-
|[[2023 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments#Division 2|2023]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Qatar]]
|align="left"|{{flagicon|Qatar}} Qatar
|0–2
|3rd Place in Division 2
|}

===World Cup===
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 Cup]]s respectively.

{|class = "wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Year
!Host
!Champion
!India Finish
!Results
|-
|[[1987 Rugby World Cup|1987]] to [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]
|Various
|Various
|colspan="2"|''did not participate''
|-
|[[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]] (''[[2007 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification#Division 3 Pool B (2005)|Asian Qualification]]'')
|Various
|{{ru|KAZ}}
|Second in division 3 Pool B Round 1a
|''did not qualify''
|-
|[[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]] (''[[2011 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification#Round 1|Asian Qualification]]'')
|{{THA}}
|{{ru|THA}}
|Third in first round
|''did not qualify''
|-
|[[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015]] (''[[2015 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification#Divisions 2 and 3|Asian Qualification]]'')
|Various
|{{ru|THA}}
|Second in division 2 and 3
|''did not qualify''
|-
|[[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]] (''[[2019 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification|Asian Qualification]]'')
|Various
|Various
|colspan="2"|''did not participate''
|-
|[[2023 Rugby World Cup|2023]] (''[[2023 Rugby World Cup – Asia qualification|Asian Qualification]]'')
|Various
|{{ru|HK}}
|colspan="2"|''did not participate''
|}

===Overall records===

The Test match record against all nations, updated to 6 May 2023, is as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;team=105;template=results;type=team;view=opposition|title=Rugby Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Fixtures, Results, Tables – ESPN|access-date=28 March 2013|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305140859/http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;team=105;template=results;type=team;view=opposition|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="border:1px solid #ccc;"
|-
! style="width:175px; text-align:left; background:#ccc;"|Opponent
! style="width:75px; text-align:center; background:#ccc;"|Played
! style="width:75px; text-align:center; background:#ccc;"|Won
! style="width:75px; text-align:center; background:#ccc;"|Lost
! style="width:75px; text-align:center; background:#ccc;"|Drawn
! style="width:75px; text-align:center; background:#ccc;"|Win percentage
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{no flag|[[Arabian Gulf rugby union team|Arabian Gulf]]*}} ||1||0||1||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|BAN}} ||1||1||0||0||100%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|CHN}} ||4||1||3||0||25.0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|TPE}} ||3||0||3||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|GUM}} ||3||2||0||1||83.3%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|INA}} ||1||1||0||0||100.0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|IRN}} ||3||0||3||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|KAZ}} ||4||0||4||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|MAS}} ||4||1||3||0||25%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|NEP}} ||1||1||0||0||100%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|PAK}} ||6||6||0||0||100%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|PHI}} ||2||1||1||0||50%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|QAT}} ||1||0||1||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|SIN}} ||4||0||4||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|SRI}} ||2||0||2||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|THA}} ||7||0||7||0||0%
|- style="text-align:center;"
|align="left"|{{ru|UZB}} ||3||1||2||0||33.3%
|- style="text-align:center;"
||'''Total'''||'''50'''||'''15'''||'''34'''||'''1'''||'''30.00%'''
|}

==Recent matches==
;Matches played in the last 12 months.

{{Rugbybox
|date = 19 November 2022
|time = 14:30
|home = {{ru-rt|IND}}
|score = 86–0
|report = [https://www.asiarugby.com/results/asia-rugby-championship/division-3-south-2022/ Report]
|away = {{ru|NEP}}
|stadium = [[Rabindra Sarobar Stadium]], [[India]]
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
----
{{Rugbybox
|date = 25 November 2022
|time = 14:15
|home = {{ru-rt|IND}}
|score = 82–0
|report = [https://www.asiarugby.com/results/asia-rugby-championship/division-3-south-2022/ Report]
|away = {{ru|BAN}}
|stadium = [[Rabindra Sarobar Stadium]], [[India]]
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
----
{{Rugbybox
|date = 3 May 2023
|time = 19:00
|home = {{ru-rt|QAT}}
|score = 32–7
|report = [https://www.asiarugby.com/results/asia-rugby-championship/asia-rugby-mens-division-2-2023/]
|away = {{ru|IND}}
|stadium = [[Aspire Warm Track]], [[Qatar]]
|attendance =
|referee =
}}
----
{{Rugbybox
|date = 6 May 2023
|time = 19:00
|home = {{ru-rt|IND}}
|score = 22–29
|report = [https://www.asiarugby.com/results/asia-rugby-championship/asia-rugby-mens-division-2-2023/]
|away = {{ru|KAZ}}
|stadium = [[Aspire Warm Track]], [[Qatar]]
|attendance =
|referee =
}}

==Squad==
'''Squad to [[2022 Asia Rugby Championship division tournaments|2022 Asia Rugby Championship Division 3 South]]'''<ref>{{cite tweet|user=RugbyIndia|number=1593658634223104001|title=26 member India squad for the 2022 Asia Rugby Championship, Division 3 South|date=18 November 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022 }}</ref>

*'''Head coach''':
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player
! Position
! Club
|-
| Prince Khatri (c)
| [[Rugby union positions#Centre|Centre]]
| Haryana
|-
| Gautam Dagar
|
| Delhi
|-
| Dhanasekar K
|
| Tamil Nadu
|-
| Devendra Padir
|
| Services
|-
| Harjap Singh
|
| Punjab
|-
| Jitendra Kumar
|
| Services
|-
| Nitin Dagar
|
| Delhi
|-
| Shivam Shukla
|
| Delhi
|-
| Harvinder Singh
|
| Punjab
|-
| Sukumar Hembrom
| [[Rugby union positions#Scrum-half|Scrum-half]]
| West Bengal
|-
| Prabal Giri
|
| Delhi
|-
| Suraj Prasad
|
| West Bengal
|-
| Bharat
|
| Delhi
|-
| Zosangzuala
|
| Services
|-
| Mannu Tanwar
|
| Delhi
|-
| Kamaldeep
|
| Delhi
|-
| Rajdeep Saha
|
| West Bengal
|-
| Akash Balmiki
| [[Rugby union positions#Fly-half|Fly-half]]
| West Bengal
|-
| Sanket Santaji
|
| Maharashtra
|-
| Suresh Kumar
|
| Services
|-
| Shridhar
|
| Maharashtra
|-
| Gaurav Kumar
|
| Bihar
|-
| Surinder Singh
|
| Services
|-
| Arpan Chhetri
|
| West Bengal
|-
| Pankaj Burman
|
| West Bengal
|-
| Shanawaz
|
| Odisha
|}

== See also ==
* [[History of rugby union]]
* [[Sport in India]]
* [[Rugby World Cup]]
* [[All blacks]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rugbyindia.in The Official Website of Indian Rugby]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110810042746/http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html IRB World Rankings]
* [http://www.irb.com/IRB/TemplateFiles/General/ResultsQueryTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fFixtures%2fResultsSearch%2f&NRNODEGUID=%7b08B408A2-B539-414E-9AF8-8DC1D398CC41%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest Indian Rugby Internationals]
* [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/QUALIFYING/ 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifying procedures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050204072110/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/QUALIFYING/ |date=4 February 2005 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050714031526/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/RESULTS/ 2007 Rugby World Cup results]

{{Rugby union in India}}
{{National rugby teams}}
{{National sports teams of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:India National Rugby Union Team}}
[[Category:India national rugby union team| ]]
[[Category:Asian national rugby union teams]]

India national rugby union team - Revision history

Vinod4324 at 14:23, 26 August 2023