New Delhi, June 15: Sumit Kumar Roy has emerged as the most expensive Indian player in the Rugby Premier League (RPL) Season 2 auction, with Hyderabad Heroes placing a bid of ₹3.75 lakh. The Indian rugby star believes that being the highest-priced player is not a burden but a testament to years of dedication to the sport.
The second season of the Rugby Premier League, the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens competition, is set to kick off on June 16. The league began last year with teams from six cities, and this season will also feature a women’s version with four teams.
Hyderabad Heroes secured a bronze medal in the inaugural season. After going undefeated in the league phase, the team faced only one defeat in the knockout stage. Before Season 2, Hyderabad retained Spanish star Manuel Moreno and Kenyan player Kevin Wekesa, successfully bringing back several key members from last year’s squad, including top Indian player Sumit.
In an exclusive interview, Sumit Kumar Roy expressed, “I see this as a result of my years of hard work. I am here because I have put in the effort, so I don’t feel any pressure. I draw inspiration from myself, as hard work is my motivation.”
Having captained India’s under-20 team in the Asia Rugby Sevens Championship and represented the senior national team, Sumit has become one of the prominent faces of Indian rugby. Reflecting on his growth as a leader, he stated, “I learned how to lead a team from my experience as captain of the under-20 team. A team means team spirit and teamwork. There is always a solution to any problem; every issue can be resolved.”
Sumit noted that communication and mutual understanding have helped bridge cultural gaps in the dressing room. He said, “Our team has players from different countries. Some are from Spain, others from Kenya. It takes a bit of time to connect with them, but it doesn’t feel like we are playing together for the first time. It feels like we have been playing together for years. They understand us quickly, making it easier to communicate. Now, I’m used to joking around with them everywhere.”
Sumit was also part of the Indian team that won a silver medal at the CASA Sevens, marking a significant milestone in the national team’s international progress. Despite the team’s achievements, he believes that more opportunities to play against top-level teams are essential.
He remarked, “We work hard, but we still have more tournaments to play. We need to compete with experienced players. After the RPL, we have a series where we will face top teams like Hong Kong and Japan. Whether this year or next, we want to compete at the highest level against the best teams in the world.”
The 24-year-old emphasized the importance of the Rugby Premier League, stating, “First and foremost, this platform is neither small nor large; everyone is equal here. We need to learn from the legends who come from abroad about what and how to do things. Gaining experience from them will bring changes to our Indian team. When we implement these lessons in our games, it will be very beneficial for us.”
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