India enters the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a 501-member squad across 36 disciplines, looking to prove its sporting credentials following a historic 106-medal performance in Hangzhou.
India’s continental sporting ambitions face a key test as the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially kick off at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026. India is fielding a contingent of 501 athletes competing in 259 medal events across 36 disciplines, aiming for a share of the 356 medals on offer. Coming off a record 106-medal performance at Hangzhou in 2023, the nation hopes to use this edition as a realistic gauge toward its goal of entering the top 10 on the Olympic medal tally by 2036.
Shooter Manu Bhaker and two-time Asian Games shotput champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor will lead the delegation as India’s flagbearers. The shooting lineup features a mix of youth and experience, including Tillottam Sen, Ashi Chouksey, Esha Singh, Suruchi Phogat, Rahi Sarnobat, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Anish Bhanwal. In athletics, with Neeraj Chopra sidelined by injury, the 74-member track and field squad relies on proven performers Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, and Toor on the field, with steeplechaser Avinash Sable and Gulveer Singh spearheading hopes on the track.
In racquet and combat sports, P.V. Sindhu continues her pursuit of a maiden Asiad badminton title, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty begin their title defense. Strong contributions are also expected from compound archers, wrestler Nisha Dahiya, and women boxers including Priya Ghanghas. In weightlifting, Mirabai Chanu seeks her first Asian Games medal, 12 years after her debut in Incheon.
Team sports carry high stakes, with both the men's and women's hockey teams competing for direct qualification spots for the LA28 Olympic Games. In cricket, both men's and women's teams enter as defending champions, with the men's side eager to secure an outright title after their 2023 final against Afghanistan was rained out. Meanwhile, the Sunil Kumar-led men's kabaddi team aims to build on their previous victory over Iran and clear any lingering lingering controversy from the 2023 final.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.