Rugby Premier League Season 2: Men's, women's franchises lock squads at Hyderabad Draft & Auction
Synopsis
The Rugby Premier League's Season 2 Auction and Draft locked in squads for six men's and four women's franchises, marking the league's first women's competition. With Indian talent commanding premium prices — Sumit Kumar Roy at ₹3.75 lakh for men, Shikha Yadav at ₹2.4 lakh for women — and world-class internationals filling each roster, the stage is set for a competitive June 2026 tournament at Hyderabad's Gachibowli Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Sumit Kumar Roy (West Bengal) signed by Hyderabad Heroes for ₹3.75 lakh , highest Indian male price.
Shikha Yadav (Delhi) topped women's auction, purchased by Delhi Redz for ₹2.4 lakh .
Six men's franchises and four women's franchises completed squad assembly on 30 April .
Tournament runs 16–28 June 2026 at Gachibowli Stadium , Hyderabad.
Women's league marks historic debut for Indian rugby's premier franchise competition.
Rosters feature mix of international marquee players and emerging Indian talent across all teams.
Hyderabad, 30 April — The Rugby Premier League held its squad-finalisation Auction and Draft on Thursday, with six men's franchises and four women's teams — making their historic inaugural debut — assembling competitive line-ups ahead of the tournament's June 16–28, 2026 run at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.
Sumit Kumar Roy of West Bengal emerged as the highest-paid Indian male player, signed by Hyderabad Heroes for ₹3.75 lakh, while Delhi's Shikha Yadav topped the women's auction, purchased by Delhi Redz for ₹2.4 lakh. The dual auctions underscored the league's commitment to gender parity and competitive depth.
Men's auction highlights
The men's segment saw Mohit Khatri of Haryana secure the second-highest Indian price at ₹3.5 lakh with Chennai Bulls, followed by Deepak Kumar Punia (Haryana) and Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh (Maharashtra), both valued at ₹2.75 lakh by Delhi Redz and Kolkata Banga Tigers respectively. All six franchises — Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kolkata Banga Tigers, Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, and Bengaluru Bravehearts — balanced international marquee signings with emerging Indian talent across their rosters.
Women's league makes history
The women's auction marked a watershed moment for Indian rugby. Chennai Bulls, Mumbai Dreamers, Kolkata Banga Tigers, and Delhi Redz built their inaugural squads, with Bhumika Shukla of Rajasthan fetching ₹2.2 lakh from Mumbai Dreamers, and Nirmalya Rout (Odisha) and Amandeep Kaur (Punjab) each securing ₹1.6 lakh from Kolkata Banga Tigers and Chennai Bulls respectively. The four franchises assembled balanced squads pairing world-class international players with domestic talent.
Leadership on women's inclusion
Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, said:
Point of View
But execution will determine legacy. The price tags on Indian talent — Roy at ₹3.75 lakh, Yadav at ₹2.4 lakh — signal genuine franchise commitment, not tokenism. Yet the real test lies in marketing, viewership, and whether the women's tournament receives equal broadcast and sponsorship parity. International rugby has learned that women's 7s can draw crowds and sponsorship if positioned correctly; India's franchises must prove they understand that lesson.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the highest-paid Indian player in the Rugby Premier League Season 2 auction?
Sumit Kumar Roy of West Bengal is the highest-paid Indian male player, signed by Hyderabad Heroes for ₹3.75 lakh . In the women's auction, Shikha Yadav of Delhi tops the list at ₹2.4 lakh with Delhi Redz .
When and where will the Rugby Premier League Season 2 be held?
The tournament will be held from 16 to 28 June 2026 at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad , with both men's and women's competitions running concurrently.
How many franchises are competing in the women's league?
Four women's franchises — Chennai Bulls , Mumbai Dreamers , Kolkata Banga Tigers , and Delhi Redz — are competing in the women's league, marking its inaugural season.
Which other Indian players fetched high prices in the auction?
Mohit Khatri (Haryana) secured ₹3.5 lakh with Chennai Bulls, while Deepak Kumar Punia (Haryana) and Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh (Maharashtra) each earned ₹2.75 lakh with Delhi Redz and Kolkata Banga Tigers respectively.
What does the women's league launch mean for Indian rugby?
The women's league marks a historic milestone, signalling the Rugby Premier League's commitment to gender parity and competitive depth. It provides a premier platform for India's best female rugby players alongside world-class international talent.
