KOLKATA — The heartbeat of Indian women’s rugby continues to pulse from the fertile grounds of Odisha, as a new contingent of players prepares to take the international stage by storm. With the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, fast approaching, the Indian women’s sevens squad has been unveiled, and once again, the influence of Odisha’s grassroots pipeline is impossible to ignore.
Four standout players from the state—Dumuni Marndi, Mama Naik, Nirmalya Rout, and Sandhyarani Tudu—have secured their spots in the national side. Their inclusion underscores a remarkable success story of regional development, where local school programmes have successfully funneled raw talent into the highest echelons of competitive sport.
Odisha: The Engine Room of Indian Rugby
For vice-captain Dumuni Marndi, a product of Mayurbhanj, this journey to the Asian Games is deeply personal. Years ago, her pursuit of rugby was met with staunch resistance from her family. Today, she stands as a veteran leader, ready to guide the next generation.
“The last Asian Games was a huge learning experience,” Marndi said during a press gathering in Kolkata. “At that time, there were so many seniors around me that I could just focus on playing. Now there is more responsibility because I’m one of the senior players.”
Marndi is joined by Sandhyarani Tudu, a fly-half whose tactical acumen and defensive prowess have made her a cornerstone of the team. For Tudu, the secret behind Odisha’s dominance is simple: community. “Rugby is doing very well in Odisha. We consistently win medals and our team bonding is very strong. That has helped many players come through,” she remarked.
Rounding out the Odisha quartet are forward Mama Naik and the newly minted leader Nirmalya Rout. Rout, who captained Odisha to the 2026 senior nationals title, brings a wealth of tactical discipline and on-field leadership that the coaching staff expects to be vital during the grueling tournament in Japan.
Resilience Beyond the State Lines
While Odisha remains the sport’s epicenter, the reach of rugby is clearly expanding. Bihar has contributed two players to the squad, each bringing a unique narrative of overcoming profound adversity.
Arti Kumari, hailing from Nawada, carries the spirit of her late brother, Rahul Kumar, who passed away in 2020. “My brother was my biggest supporter,” she shared. “He always encouraged me to chase my dreams.” For Kumari, every tackle and every sprint in the upcoming Asian Games is a tribute to the man who first believed in her potential.
Meanwhile, Guriya Kumari from Muzaffarpur represents the pinnacle of physical and mental fortitude. After suffering an ACL injury that necessitated two separate surgeries on the same leg, her career hung in the balance. “There was a time when I thought I would never be able to play again,” she admitted. Her presence on the squad is a testament to the rigorous rehabilitation standards and the unyielding determination now present in the Indian camp.
A Vision for Professionalism
Under the watchful eye of head coach Paul Delport, the Indian squad has been putting in the work. Following a preparatory camp in Thailand and a competitive run at the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series—where the team secured morale-boosting victories over the UAE and Iran—the squad is peaking at the right time.
Delport, a former South Africa international, has been impressed by the rapid growth of the squad. “The players have improved enormously, both physically and in terms of game understanding. Considering how few tournaments we’re able to play, the progress has been exceptional,” he said.
However, the team’s aspirations extend far beyond a single tournament. Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, is looking toward a much larger horizon: the 2032 Olympics. Bose argues that the sporadic nature of training camps is no longer sufficient for a team with global ambitions.
“We have to make rugby fully professional,” Bose stated. “You cannot just have camps and send players home. Centres of excellence and year-round programmes are the way forward.”
The Road to Aichi-Nagoya
As the squad prepares for their departure this Friday, the immediate focus is a challenging Pool B draw. India will kick off their campaign against Hong Kong on October 1 at the Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, followed by daunting encounters against defending champions China and Malaysia.
While the coaching staff emphasizes the “process” over the scoreboard, the squad is undeniably hungry. With a blend of seasoned veterans like Marndi and resilient newcomers like Guriya Kumari, India enters the Asian Games not merely as participants, but as a team intent on rewriting their own history.
The Indian Squad:
Shikha Yadav (C), Dumuni Marndi (VC), Amandeep Kaur, Arti Kumari, Bhumika Shukla, Vaishnavi Patil, Guriya Kumari, Kalyani Patil, Mama Naik, Nirmalya Rout, Sandhya Rai, Sandhyarani Tudu, Ujjwala Ghuge.
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