Rugby Premier League Auction: Mohit Khatri Crowned India’s Most Expensive Rugby Player in Historic ₹4.75 Lakh Bid

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Rugby Premier League Auction: Indian rugby has reached a momentous milestone, and at the heart of this landmark event stands Mohit Khatri, who has officially become the most expensive Indian rugby player in the history of the sport.

Snapped up by the Bengaluru Bravehearts for a record-smashing INR 4.75 Lakhs, Khatri's selection at the first-ever Rugby Premier League (RPL) auction signals the dawn of a new era for the sport in India.

Organised by GMR in collaboration with the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the RPL becomes the world’s first-ever franchise-based Rugby Sevens league, featuring six city-based teams – Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and Mumbai Dreamers – competing for glory in a 34-match season. The tournament will unfold at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai from 1 June to 15 June 2025.

Mohit Khatri Becomes India’s Most Expensive Rugby Player in Historic RPL Season 1

A Landmark Auction in Mumbai

The city of dreams played host to the Player Draft and Auction of the inaugural Rugby Premier League, India’s first franchise-based rugby tournament, which will unfold this June in Mumbai. Backed by GMR Sports in collaboration with the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU), the RPL’s debut edition features six franchises—Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers, and Mumbai Dreamers.

The event was nothing short of electrifying, with nail-biting bidding wars that added Bollywood-style drama to the auction floor. Amidst the flurry of paddles and passionate team strategies, Mohit Khatri’s record-breaking price emerged as the biggest headline of the day.

Who is Mohit Khatri?

Mohit Khatri, already a rising name in Indian rugby circles, has now cemented his status as a game-changer for the sport in the country. Known for his fierce tackling, breakneck speed, and intuitive game-reading abilities, Khatri's meteoric rise has made him a beacon of hope for young Indian rugby aspirants.

The Bengaluru Bravehearts, backed by a powerful consortium of Manipal Education & Medical Group, InCred, and Soham Energy, recognised Khatri's immense potential and made a decisive move to secure him, outbidding several competitors and setting a new benchmark for Indian rugby salaries.

RPL Season 1: A Game-Changing Format

Set to take place from 1st to 15th June 2025 at the Andheri Sports Complex, the RPL will be played in the fast-paced Rugby Sevens format, comprising 34 matches in total. This dynamic version of rugby, renowned for its speed and agility, has already captivated fans globally and will now make its premier Indian franchise debut on home soil.

A unique feature of the league is its blend of elite global rugby talent and homegrown Indian players. Each franchise had the opportunity to select 8 international stars via draft and 5 Indian players through an auction, ensuring a rich confluence of experience and emerging prowess.

Global Stars Meet Indian Talent

With over 30 marquee international names from rugby powerhouses like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Fiji, Great Britain, Ireland, and Argentina, alongside another 18 players from Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, and others, the RPL is truly global in scale.

The inclusion of 30 Indian players from a pool of 71 auction participants also offers local stars like Mohit Khatri a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train, play, and evolve alongside international veterans and legends.

RPL 2025: Full Franchise Squads (After Draft & Auction)

Bengaluru Bravehearts

Owners: Manipal Education & Medical Group, InCred, Soham Energy

Draft Picks: Kyle Tremblay, Ethan Turner, James Thiel, Rosko Specman, Lucas Lacamp, Perry Baker, Harry McNulty, Maurice Longbottom

Auction Signings: Mohit Khatri (INR 4.75 Lakhs), Karan Rajbhar (INR 80,000), Arpan Chhetri (INR 60,000), Suresh Kumar (INR 50,000), Prashant Singh (INR 50,000)

Chennai Bulls

Owner: AVIDSYS Sports

Draft Picks: Hannes Adler, Haakon Oeß, Nikias Lohe, Terry Kennedy, Joseva Talacolo, Ratu Sauturaga, Joaquin Pellandini, Alexander Davis

Auction Signings: Vallabh Patil (INR 1 Lakh), Shanawaz Ahmed (INR 80,000), Vinayak Hariraj (INR 50,000), Muhammed Jasim EP (INR 50,000), Vinay A (INR 50,000)

Delhi Redz

Owner: RMZ

Draft Picks: Thomas Richards, Michael Coverdale, Moritz Noll, Osadczuk Lucas, Matteo Graziano, Alejandro Castro, Patrick Odongo, Jordan Conroy

Auction Signings: Rajdeep Saha (INR 2.75 Lakhs), Deepak Punia (INR 2.50 Lakhs), Mohit (INR 50,000), Sunil Chawan (INR 50,000), Raj Kumar (INR 50,000)

Hyderabad Heroes

Owner: KLO Sports

Draft Picks: James Christie, Max Roddick, Fong Fung, Luciano Rizzoni, Joji Nasova, Manuel Asensi, Terio Veilawa, Regan Ware

Auction Signings: Prince Khatri (INR 3.75 Lakhs), Sumit Roy (INR 1.25 Lakhs), Javed Hussein (INR 90,000), Sukumar Hembrom (INR 60,000), Sambit Pradhan (INR 50,000)

Kalinga Black Tigers

Owner: Hutch Ventures

Draft Picks: Kyle Tremblay, Ethan Turner, James Thiel, Rosko Specman, Lucas Lacamp, Perry Baker, Harry McNulty, Maurice Longbottom

Auction Signings: Ajay Deswal (INR 2.75 Lakhs), Asis Sabar (INR 1.50 Lakhs), Pappu Todkar (INR 60,000), Pardeep Singh (INR 50,000), Arjun Mahato (INR 50,000)

Mumbai Dreamers

Owner: Dream11

Draft Picks: Elias Hancock, Rhys James, Briar Barron, James Turner, Waisea Nacuqu, Henry Hutchison, Aaron Cummings, Santiago Mare

Auction Signings: Neeraj (INR 2.75 Lakhs), Devendra Padir (INR 1.25 Lakhs), Akash Balmiki (INR 90,000), Nayan K (INR 50,000), Ganesh Majhi (INR 50,000)

RPL 2025: Ready to Revolutionise Indian Rugby

Mr. Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, stated: “The Rugby Premier League marks a pivotal moment in our mission to elevate rugby in India. By showcasing a vibrant mix of international and Indian talent, and with the unwavering support of our franchise owners, this league is poised to redefine the future of the sport.”

He added, “We believe that the RPL will not only captivate a wider audience but also provide Indian players with invaluable opportunities to compete alongside the world’s best, thereby raising the standard of rugby in our country.”

Rahul Bose, President of the IRFU, proudly declared: “This is a league that’s been six years in the making… Rugby 7s is one of the most attractive television sports in modern history. Welcome, India and the world, to the Rugby Premier League.”

The RPL isn’t just a tournament—it’s a revolution. It aims to reshape the sporting landscape in India, offering rugby the commercial glamour and broadcast sheen that has long eluded it. With a rich mix of action-packed gameplay, elite athletes, high-octane competition, and strong institutional backing, it is set to captivate Indian audiences like never before.

And at the heart of this story, forever etched in the annals of Indian sport, will be Mohit Khatri—the boy who became a beacon for Indian rugby, and the most expensive Indian player of the Rugby Premier League's first ever season.