Top 10 Indian debutants to watch out for at Asian Games 2026 ft. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2026 includes 503 athletes.

With final preparations underway in Japan, the Asian Games 2026 is fast approaching. More than 11,000 athletes from across Asia will compete for medals across 43 sports, 71 disciplines and 469 events, including an Indian contingent that blends seasoned veterans with exciting debutants.

With several new faces ready to make their mark, let’s look at the top 10 Indian debutants to watch at the 2026 Asian Games.

Indian debutants to watch at Asian Games 2026

10. Vedaant Madhavan: Swimming

Vedaant Madhavan has been selected to represent India at the Asian Games 2026. He has primarily competed as a long-distance swimmer in most competitions.

However, in Japan, he will have to compete in 200m events. He will participate in the men’s 200m backstroke, men’s 200m freestyle, and men’s 4x200m freestyle relay.

9. Gurindervir Singh: Athletics

Gurindervir Singh is set to make his Asian Games debut this year. Earlier this year, in May, he became the first Indian to break the 10.10-second barrier at the Federation Cup in Ranchi.

He was also part of the Indian contingent at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games but failed to deliver a notable performance. However, in Japan, he would aim for the podium.

Related: Where did India finish in the medal tally at Asian Games 2022?

8. Animesh Kujur: Athletics

Animesh Kujur will represent India in the men’s 100m, 200m, and mixed 4x100m relay events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. He also holds the national record in the 200m event with a time of 20.32 seconds.

Kujur also won bronze in the men’s 200m at the 2025 Asian Championships. Thus, the 23-year-old could be the nation’s answer to the question of individual track events.

7. Asmita Dey: Judo

Asmita Dey scripted history by winning India’s first gold medal in Judo at the Commonwealth Games. However, she might face stiff competition in the women’s 48kg category at the Asian Games, especially from nations like China, Japan, and Mongolia.

6. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: Cricket

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been selected in India’s men’s cricket squad for the Asian Games 2026, led by Shreyas Iyer, alongside his deputy Tillak Varma. However, it remains to be seen if the 15-year-old gets the chance to represent his nation at the continental competition.

5. Suruchi Phogat: Shooting

Suruchi Phogat will enter the continental competition as one of the favourites to win the gold medal in the 10m air pistol event. She has won four consecutive World Cups and the World Cup Final in the last 18 months, and she knows how to perform under pressure.

Related: What is India’s biggest single-day medal haul at the Asian Games?

4. Sujeet Kalkal: Wrestling

Sujeet Kalkal made history last year in Serbia by becoming only the fourth Indian wrestler to win the U23 World Championship title.

Now 23, he is set for his Asian Games debut, where he will look to prove himself against the continent’s best. He is also currently unbeaten in his last 20 bouts.

3. Rohit Yadav: Javelin Throw

Asia has lately become a hub of talent in javelin throwing. However, India’s top hope in the event, Neeraj Chopra, has been ruled out of the Asian Games due to injury, and Rohit Yadav will have the opportunity to secure a podium finish for the nation.

He finished 7th in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games; nevertheless, a better performance is expected from the debutant in Japan.

2. Ayush Shetty: Badminton

Ayush Shetty has been impressive on the global stage in recent months. The 21-year-old is in strong form, becoming the first Indian in 61 years to win a men’s singles silver at the Badminton Asia Championships.

He also secured a crucial win over World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in three games at the World Championships in New Delhi. Thus, Indian fans will have their medal hopes tied with the young shuttler in Aichi-Nagoya.

1. Sakshi Chaudhary: Boxing

Sakshi Chaudhary is all set to make her debut at the continental games, and she will also be one of India’s top medal hopes in Japan.

At the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, she dominated her opponents, including her commendable summit clash triumph over Ruby White in the Women’s 51 kg category.

To secure a position in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow Games, she had to drop from the 54 kg category to 51 kg. Sakshi also had to fight her way in the national championships, where she defeated Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi Hooda.

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