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India's U-20 Women Rugby Team Stuns New Zealand With Dominant 17-0 Victory

India's under-20 women's rugby sevens team delivered an impressive performance, clinching a shutout victory against New Zealand's Maori U-20 invitational side in a bilateral series match. The dominant result has drawn attention from prominent business leaders, including Anand Mahindra, who celebrated the achievement on social media.

LSN India · 31 October 2026

India's under-20 women's rugby sevens team achieved a remarkable milestone by defeating New Zealand's Maori U-20 invitational team 17-0 in a bilateral series fixture. The comprehensive victory underscored the growing strength and tactical discipline of India's emerging rugby talent pool.

The shutout win represents significant progress for women's rugby development in India, where the sport has been gaining momentum in recent years. The under-20 category serves as a crucial breeding ground for elite-level international competition, and this emphatic result suggests the national programme is building competitive depth across age groups.

The performance resonated beyond sporting circles, with business magnate Anand Mahindra taking to social media to acknowledge the team's achievement. Such recognition from prominent public figures helps elevate the profile of rugby in India, traditionally dominated by cricket and other sports in the national consciousness.

The victory comes as India continues to strengthen its presence in international rugby sevens competitions. Women's rugby in particular has emerged as an area of focus for sports development initiatives, with increased investment in grassroots and junior programmes contributing to improved performance levels at international tournaments.