Will RPL Revolutionize Rugby Like IPL Did for Cricket?

Mumbai, June 14 (NationPress) For years, Mohit Khatri has felt a sense of unease due to the lack of recognition he received despite his dedication to representing India in rugby. Unlike cricketers, footballers, and athletes from other sports who were often celebrated, he remained largely unnoticed.

He realized this stemmed from the fact that rugby, a lesser-known sport, rarely found its way onto television screens or the pages of newspapers. However, driven by a profound passion for the game, Khatri has been involved in rugby since the age of 13 and has become a prominent figure in Indian rugby.

“When we participated in tournaments, we felt proud to represent the Indian team. Yet, when compared to cricket or other sports, the disparity was stark. There was a lack of fans and minimal media support,” Khatri shared in an exclusive interview with IANS.

“Even my family was unaware of my representation of India at the international level, which was on par with athletes in other sports. It often felt different when considering other sports,” explained Khatri, who captained India in the Asian Tournament held in Nepal in 2024.

Despite the stark contrast in attention between rugby and other sports in India, Khatri has no regrets about choosing rugby over football or cricket, which he enjoyed during his childhood.

His faith in rugby is set to be rewarded with the launch of the Rugby Premier League (RPL), the first-ever city-based franchise league in rugby, commencing on Sunday, June 15, at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex in Mumbai.

Khatri is optimistic that the rugby landscape in India will undergo a significant transformation, with the previously obscure sport of rugby sevens gaining visibility through television broadcasts and live OTT streaming. He believes that RPL will mirror the impact that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has had on cricket.

“When I began representing India, I knew we had reached a point where we could elevate our game further, and we were willing to put in the hard work required. Gradually, the Indian team is improving, and just as the IPL revolutionized cricket, RPL will introduce international players, allowing us to learn and enhance our skills immensely. I believe rugby in India is on the brink of greatness, opening new avenues for future growth,” Khatri stated.

Having emerged as the most expensive Indian player in the RPL auction, Khatri will play for the Bengaluru Bravehearts, one of the six participating teams, alongside Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and Mumbai Dreamers.

The RPL has secured 30 elite international players from renowned Rugby 7s nations, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji, Argentina, Great Britain, Ireland, the USA, and Spain.

Each team will consist of five international players, five domestic players, and three from developing rugby nations.

Each match will last 16 minutes, divided into four quarters, with stoppages for penalties, decisions, and injuries, resulting in match durations of 23-30 minutes.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience high-level rugby alongside some of the best Rugby 7s stars. We aim to learn from these matches and study the performances of elite players and teams. By analyzing their games, we can identify our strengths and weaknesses. The RPL, organized by GMR Sports, provides us with a chance to compete with top talents and Olympians. We will gain insights from esteemed international coaches and evaluate our standing in global rugby. We will witness the gap between World Rugby and Indian Rugby, and identify the steps needed to bridge it through RPL,” Khatri added.

Khatri emphasized that the RPL format allows each team to include five marquee players from top nations such as Australia, South Africa, England, Ireland, and Wales, alongside five Indian players and three from emerging nations like Canada, Germany, and Hong Kong.

“For the first time, players from diverse countries will come together in the same team. This serves as a testing phase, enabling players to bond and discover how well they can collaborate. We are prepared to give our best,” Khatri remarked about his team, the Bengaluru Bravehearts.

Born in Kundli village in the Sonipat district of Haryana, Khatri discovered rugby in sixth grade, inspired by a friend from his village. Following his friend's advice, he pursued the sport and quickly became captivated by it. He credits his family for supporting his decision to pursue rugby professionally, even putting his Chartered Accountancy studies on hold. The sport has also afforded him a position as a Senior Postal Assistant in the Indian Postal Department since February this year.

Now, he is hopeful that the RPL will lead to recognition on the streets, if not overwhelming adoration from fans. Such support would motivate him and other Indian players to chase their dreams of competing in prestigious events like the World Cup and the Olympics.