New Delhi, June 15: The Chennai Bulls, winners of the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL), are determined to defend their title this season. This league has provided domestic players the opportunity to compete alongside and learn from some of the world’s best athletes. Team vice-captain Mohit Khatri views this competition as a significant turning point for Indian rugby.
The Rugby Premier League, the world’s first franchise-based rugby sevens league, returns for its second season on June 16. The reigning champions, Chennai Bulls, are once again strong contenders for victory.
The franchise has assembled a star-studded team, led by Santiago Alvarez, who captained Argentina in the 2024 Olympics. Mohit Khatri has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Off the field, the Bulls have also reached new heights. During the 2025-26 season, they became the first Indian team to participate in prestigious international tournaments such as the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens and the Hong Kong Tens.
Khatri, a star player in Indian rugby, is often referred to as the ‘poster boy’ of the sport in the country. While this title brings both popularity and responsibility, the former captain of India states that he has learned not to let it become a burden.
In an exclusive interview, Khatri said, “Being a ‘poster boy’ is actually a good thing. Many familiar and unfamiliar faces start recognizing you, which comes with a responsibility, but it doesn’t weigh me down. I focus on my work and try to keep my attention there, not seeing it as a burden.”
For Khatri, his proudest memories in rugby are not tied to international success but to representing Haryana alongside family members and helping establish the state as a strong force in Indian rugby.
He shared, “My first major achievement came from the Senior Nationals, where I represented my state, Haryana. Four of my cousins played on that team too. It felt amazing to follow in our brothers’ footsteps, play together, represent our family, culture, and state, and then achieve victory across India. It gives me a lot of confidence.”
Having captained both Haryana and the Indian national team, Khatri now holds a unique position as vice-captain of a franchise filled with international talent. He sees this role as an opportunity to learn from some of rugby’s most successful players.
Khatri remarked, “So far, I have captained my state and national teams. Now, I have the chance to play with top-level athletes from around the world. We get to learn new things, like what the best players in rugby prefer, what they follow, how they play, and their rules and regulations. In terms of leadership, this will be a great learning experience for me, especially learning from the top level. Our captain is from Argentina, which has been winning for the last two to three years. They are champions and seem to be at the top of the world. I hope to gain leadership and game skills from this tournament.”
Khatri also reminisced about the Delhi Hurricanes, the club where his rugby journey began. He credits the club’s environment and grassroots structure for shaping him as a player.
He said, “I started rugby with the Delhi Hurricanes. Initially, I had no knowledge about rugby—no rules, no regulations, and no idea of what my future with the sport would be. Everything I gained from rugby is because of the Delhi Hurricanes. I learned my basic skills there.”
Discussing the impact of the Rugby Premier League, Khatri noted that after experiencing the unique format of the first season, both players and teams have adopted significant changes. He stated, “In the first season, it was new for everyone—the game, gameplay, and style of play. Typically, sevens rugby has two halves of seven minutes each. But RPL is completely different, featuring four quarters of four minutes each. This was new for everyone, including us and the players who came from outside. We learned and reached a new level of fitness, figuring out how to train to play four quarters of four minutes. Therefore, Indian players have improved significantly compared to last year. They have developed strategies and set standards from last year, and this year they aim to perform even better.”
Khatri acknowledged the contributions of Rugby India President Rahul Bose, stating, “We have spoken many times since Rahul Bose joined Rugby India and became president. More sponsors are coming on board. The landscape and era of rugby have changed. He has provided a great tournament like the RPL. Because of this tournament, we get to play alongside Olympians. Without it, we would miss this opportunity and only see them on television. Thanks to this tournament, Rugby India, and Rahul Bose, we now have the chance to play with the world’s best athletes and Olympians.”
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