Under the floodlights of Rajgir, Bihar, on 27 October 2026, a young Indian women’s rugby team delivered a result few could ignore.
India’s Under-20 women defeated New Zealand 17–0, keeping one of rugby’s most respected nations scoreless. It was more than a victory. It was a statement that Indian women were ready to compete, challenge expectations and claim their place on the international sporting stage.
Seventeen Points. Zero Fear
The Indian girls came out with purpose. Their speed, coordinated attacks and disciplined defence helped them race to a 12–0 lead in the first half. They added five more points after the break, while New Zealand failed to score.
In rugby sevens, where seven players per side compete in a fast-paced game, every second demands stamina, quick decisions, teamwork and courage. One missed tackle can change everything.
India held its ground until the final whistle: The player wearing jersey number 15 was reported to be the match’s leading scorer, although her name was not identified in the available match reports.
The Indian squad brought together 16 young women: Akshaya N.S., Alpana Kumari, Anita Murmu, Anushka Sankpal, Arti Kumari, Beauty Kumari, Dipali Tathe, Khushi Devi, Kirti Jadhav, Aditi Londhe, Mamali Singh, Raimani Murmu, Saloni Kumari, Samruddhi Kadam, Sumitra Murmu and Tanushree Bhosale.
Their names represent a growing generation of Indian rugby talent. Bihar’s Alpana Kumari, Arti Kumari, Beauty Kumari and Saloni Kumari were among the local players selected for the national squad. Anita Murmu, from Odisha, has trained at the KISS Rugby Academy in Bhubaneswar and built experience through state and national competitions.
Their individual circumstances differ, and not every player’s personal struggle has been publicly documented. But reaching the national Under-20 squad requires commitment to training, physical conditioning, teamwork and the demands of competitive sport.
For young women pursuing a sport that still receives limited attention in India, earning that opportunity is itself significant.
This Victory Was Not Their Beginning
The team’s success did not appear overnight. In August 2025, India’s Under-20 women won bronze at the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Sevens Championship in Rajgir. They defeated Kazakhstan 17–10 and the United Arab Emirates 31–7 in the pool stage, then beat Uzbekistan 12–5 in the bronze-medal match.
Captain Bhumika Shukla and vice-captain Tanushree Bhosale were among the standout performers in that campaign. Bhumika scored twice against the UAE, while Tanushree also crossed the try line.
That bronze medal was India’s first at the championship on home soil. The 2026 victory over New Zealand offered another sign of progress. A Win Beyond the Scoreboard
The match was part of the “100 Years of Unity through Sport” initiative, celebrating a century of sporting ties between India and New Zealand.
The visiting women’s side, Hine Toa, comprised young Māori players from New Zealand. The programme also included joint training, cultural exchanges and mixed-team exhibition matches. India’s Under-20 men lost 32–0 to New Zealand, making the women’s shutout victory especially striking.
But the real achievement belongs to the girls who kept working, learning and competing. They may not yet enjoy the recognition given to cricket stars. Yet, on one October evening in Rajgir, they gave India something worth celebrating.
Seventeen points on the scoreboard. A much bigger message beyond it: Indian women’s rugby is moving forward.
