The top men's rugby players in India in 2026 include Sumit Kumar Roy, Mohit Khatri, Rajan Rawat, Prince Khatri and Karan Rajbhar, five players whose achievements span professional franchise rugby, national championships and India's international sevens setup. Their performances highlight the different qualities needed to succeed in rugby, from explosive try-scoring and accurate conversions to leadership and consistency.
Rajan Rawat stands out statistically at the 2026 Senior National Rugby 7s Championship, finishing as the tournament's leading scorer with 76 points, eight tries and 18 conversions. Karan Rajbhar also delivered an impressive attacking performance, scoring 11 tries, while Sumit Kumar Roy attracted attention at the Rugby Premier League (RPL) auction as the highest-paid Indian men's signing.
There is no single official ranking that establishes these five as India's definitive top players. This editorial selection considers their documented 2026 performances, national-team involvement, professional league recognition and experience.
India's Best Men's Rugby Players in 2026
| Player | State | Key achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sumit Kumar Roy | West Bengal | Highest-paid Indian men's player at the RPL 2026 auction |
| 2. Mohit Khatri | Haryana | Signed by Chennai Bulls for ₹3.5 lakh |
| 3. Rajan Rawat | Rajasthan | Senior Nationals top scorer with 76 points |
| 4. Prince Khatri | Haryana | National-level player listed by Rugby India |
| 5. Karan Rajbhar | West Bengal | Senior Nationals leader with 11 tries |
The player details and tournament statistics are supported by Rugby India's player records, auction announcements and championship leaderboard.
1. Sumit Kumar Roy
Image Source: Twitter
Sumit Kumar Roy is one of the most prominent Indian men's rugby players to watch in 2026, thanks to his combination of national-level performance and recognition in professional franchise rugby. Representing West Bengal, Roy was selected by the Hyderabad Heroes in the 2026 Rugby Premier League auction for ₹3.75 lakh, making him the highest-paid Indian men's player at that auction.
The auction result matters because it shows the value franchises placed on Indian players as they assembled squads for a competition featuring both domestic and international talent. The RPL allows Indian athletes to compete alongside experienced overseas professionals, creating a platform to demonstrate their skills in a demanding, high-intensity environment.
Roy's performance at the 2026 Senior National Rugby 7s Championship also provides a statistical measure of his contribution. The official tournament leaderboard records nine tries and two conversions across six matches, giving him 49 points. That placed him fourth in the overall scoring standings.
His combination of professional-league recognition and a strong national championship scoring record makes him a compelling name in Indian rugby this year.
Why he stands out: Roy combines recognition in the professional franchise market with proven attacking output at the national championship level.
2. Mohit Khatri
Image Source: Twitter
Mohit Khatri is another important name in India's men's rugby landscape in 2026. The Haryana player was signed by the Chennai Bulls for ₹3.5 lakh at the Rugby Premier League auction, the second-highest amount paid for an Indian men's player in the auction announcement.
Rugby India's men's player directory lists Khatri as a centre. In rugby sevens, where teams have seven players and matches demand speed, rapid decision-making and efficient use of space, the centre role can be important in linking attacking movements and helping a team exploit gaps in the opposition's defence.
Khatri was also named vice-captain of India's men's squad announced for the Central South Asia 7s in May 2026. However, an official update dated May 14 confirmed that he had been ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an injury during the final practice sessions of the training camp. Karan Rajbhar replaced him in the squad.
His selection and franchise value underline his standing in the domestic game, while the injury update is an important distinction when assessing his international participation during 2026.
Why he stands out: Khatri has earned recognition from both a professional franchise and the national selection setup.
3. Rajan Rawat
Image Source: Twitter
Rajan Rawat delivered one of the clearest individual statistical performances in Indian men's rugby in 2026. The Rajasthan player finished as the leading scorer at the Senior National Rugby 7s Championship, collecting 76 points in six matches. His tally consisted of eight tries and 18 conversions, according to the tournament's official leaderboard.
The breakdown of his points is particularly revealing. His eight tries contributed 40 points, while his 18 successful conversions added another 36. In rugby sevens, a try is worth five points and a conversion is worth two, making the ability to score tries and convert them an important combination.
Rawat's conversion record sets him apart from players who rely primarily on finishing attacking moves. His scoring suggests that he also played a significant role in turning those opportunities into points for Rajasthan.
He was subsequently included in India's men's squad for the Central South Asia 7s in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, scheduled for May 16 and 17, 2026. His inclusion provided an international opportunity following his outstanding national championship campaign.
Rawat's numbers make him a particularly strong candidate for recognition among India's best-performing men's rugby players in 2026, especially when individual scoring is the main measure.
Why he stands out: No other player topped the 2026 Senior Nationals scoring leaderboard, where Rawat's 76 points put him 17 points ahead of the second-placed scorer.
4. Prince Khatri
Image Source: Twitter
Prince Khatri is listed in Rugby India's men's player directory as a representative of Haryana. His inclusion in this list reflects his place within the country's recognised senior men's rugby pool, although the available 2026 scoring data does not place him among the tournament's leading individual scorers.
His 2026 Senior National Rugby 7s Championship record shows four tries across six matches, earning him 20 points. While that total is considerably lower than Rawat's 76 points, raw scoring is only one way to assess a rugby player's contribution. Defensive work, positional awareness, support play and the ability to maintain team structure can also influence a match.
Prince Khatri was also named in the preliminary training-camp list for India's senior men's squad ahead of the Central South Asia 7s. A training-camp selection demonstrates involvement in the national selection process, although it should not be confused with confirmation of a place in the final playing squad.
His presence in the national player directory and championship records makes him a relevant name for readers following Haryana's rugby talent and India's senior men's programme.
Why he stands out: Khatri represents the wider pool of senior players contributing to the competitive depth of Indian rugby.
5. Karan Rajbhar
Image Source: Twitter
Karan Rajbhar produced one of the most eye-catching attacking records at the 2026 Senior National Rugby 7s Championship. The West Bengal player scored 11 tries in six matches, finishing third on the overall points leaderboard with 55 points. All his recorded points came from tries, according to the official tournament statistics.
His 11 tries were the highest total recorded by any player on the championship's individual leaderboard. That makes Rajbhar especially notable for his finishing ability and capacity to cross the try line repeatedly over the course of a tournament.
His performances also earned him a place in India's revised men's squad for the Central South Asia 7s in Tashkent. Rugby India's May 14 announcement confirmed that he replaced Mohit Khatri, who was ruled out through injury. The selection allowed Rajbhar to represent India in an international sevens competition.
Rajbhar's national championship numbers show a different attacking profile from Rawat's. Rawat combined tries with a substantial number of conversions, whereas Rajbhar's scoring came entirely from tries. Both contributions matter, but Rajbhar's tournament-leading try tally makes him an obvious player to watch for supporters interested in attacking rugby.
Why he stands out: Rajbhar's 11 tries were the highest individual total at the 2026 Senior Nationals, and his national selection added another milestone to his season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best men's rugby player in India in 2026?
There is no single official ranking naming India's best men's rugby player in 2026. Rajan Rawat has the strongest statistical claim based on the Senior National Rugby 7s Championship, where he scored 76 points in six matches.
Who was the top scorer at the Senior National Rugby 7s Championship 2026?
Rajan Rawat of Rajasthan finished first with 76 points, including eight tries and 18 conversions. Karan Rajbhar of West Bengal finished third with 55 points and led the try-scoring chart with 11 tries.
Who was the most expensive Indian player at the Rugby Premier League 2026 auction?
Sumit Kumar Roy was the highest-paid Indian men's player at the auction, joining Hyderabad Heroes for ₹3.75 lakh. Mohit Khatri followed at ₹3.5 lakh with Chennai Bulls.
Which Indian rugby players were selected for the Central South Asia 7s in 2026?
The revised Indian men's squad included Sumit Kumar Roy, Rajan Rawat and Karan Rajbhar, among others. Karan Rajbhar replaced Mohit Khatri after Khatri was ruled out with an injury sustained during the final practice sessions.
What is the difference between rugby union and rugby sevens?
Rugby union traditionally features 15 players per team, while rugby sevens has seven players per side. Sevens matches are shorter and place a premium on speed, open-field running, fitness and quick decision-making. The Senior National Rugby 7s Championship and the Rugby Premier League provide important competitive platforms for India's sevens players.
Which state produced some of India's standout men's rugby performances in 2026?
West Bengal produced three notable names in this selection: Sumit Kumar Roy, Karan Rajbhar and their strong national championship performances. Haryana was represented by Mohit Khatri and Prince Khatri, while Rajasthan's Rajan Rawat led the individual scoring standings.
