Hyderabad, April 30, 2026: The HSBC Rugby Premier League (RPL) Season 2 gathered pace as all franchises finalised their squads through a high-energy draft and auction held in Hyderabad. Organised by Rugby India in partnership with GMR Sports, the league marks a historic milestone with the introduction of women’s teams for the first time.
A total of six men’s teams and four women’s teams have assembled competitive squads, blending international stars with emerging Indian talent. The tournament will take place at Gachibowli Stadium from June 16 to 28, 2026.
In the men’s auction, Sumit Kumar Roy emerged as the highest-paid Indian player, securing a ₹3.75 lakh deal with Hyderabad Heroes. Mohit Khatri (₹3.5 lakh, Chennai Bulls) and Deepak Kumar Punia and Prashant Arvind Pratap Singh (₹2.75 lakh each) were among other top picks.
The women’s auction created history, with Delhi Redz signing Shikha Yadav for ₹2.4 lakh, making her the highest-paid Indian player. Bhumika Shukla (₹2.2 lakh, Mumbai Dreamers) and Nirmalya Rout and Amandeep Kaur (₹1.6 lakh each) also featured among key signings.
Rugby India President Rahul Bose termed the auction “electric,” highlighting the league’s growing competitiveness and the significance of launching the women’s competition. GMR Sports CMO Sujoy Ganguly emphasised the long-term vision of investing in women’s rugby.
With squads locked in, teams now shift focus to preparations as RPL 2026 aims to elevate rugby’s profile in India
