Asian Games 2026: Who are India’s medal contenders today on September 22 (Day 3)?
India will defend its gold medal in cricket on Day 3
India will look to add to their growing medal tally at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on Tuesday, September 22.
After an eventful Day 2, highlighted by a double podium finish in men’s 10m air rifle shooting and a first-ever MMA medal, the Indian contingent enters an action-packed Day 3, with medal opportunities in cricket, shooting, wushu, and swimming, among others.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: India’s updated schedule for Day 3 (September 22)
Who are India’s medal contenders today on September 22 (Day 3)?
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Cricket — Indian Women’s Cricket Team
Having defeated Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semi-finals buoyed by Shafali ,Verma’s century, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team enter the title match with an assured podium finish.
Defending champions India face familiar continental rivals Sri Lanka in the gold medal clash. With reliable top-order firepower featuring Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, alongside the bowling discipline of Deepti Sharma, India enter the final as strong favourites to defend their title.
Shooting — Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Rakesh Mane
India’s rifle shooters have been in stellar touch over the first two days, collecting individual and team medals across both the women’s and men’s 10m air rifle competitions.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: Updated medal tally after Day 2, September 21
In the mixed team event, Day 1 medallist Elavenil Valarivan will team up with Parth Rakesh Mane. The qualification round requires consistent scoring across both shooters to secure a place in the top four, which leads directly to the bronze and gold medal shootouts against tough opponents from China and South Korea.
Wushu — Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam, Roshibina Devi, Aryan
Wushu presents an outside podium opportunity for India with Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam taking to the carpet in the combined Nanquan and Nandao routine, while the experienced Roshibina Devi and Aryan are one win away from assuring a medal and will be in action in the women’s 60kg and men’s 56kg quarter-finals respectively.
In the Nanguan and Nanado routine, scoring hinges on degree of difficulty, martial expression, and clean landing execution. An error-free routine could place Langlentombi in medal contention against competitors from East Asia.
Roshibina Devi beat Shika Khatun in the previous round to book her place in the quarters, where the two-time Asian Games medallist will meet Macau’s Man Sin Chu. Aryan will be in action against Saydullo Abdurashitov of Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals. He saw off Shahzada Safi in the previous round.
Swimming — Aryan Nehra & Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Team
Distance specialist Aryan Nehra takes to the pool in the men’s 1,500m freestyle, competing in the timed finals where steady pacing and endurance will determine his position on the leaderboard.
Later in the morning session, the Indian men’s 4x100m medley relay squad will compete in the heats, targeting an evening finals spot and a push against national timing marks.
Fencing — Sachin, Hemash Singh Sasam, Tanishka Khatri, Prachi Lohan
Hemash Singh Sasam and Sachin will be in action in the men’s foil individual, while Tanishka Khatri and Prachi Lohan will compete for medals in the women’s epee individual events.
With the medal matches in these events taking place on the same day, all eyes will be on this Indian quartet as they aim to continue their decent run of form in the current year.
Karate — Chetan Bhatt, Alisha
Having received a bye into the semi-finals directly, Chetan Bhatt is one win away from securing a first-ever medal in karate for India. Compatriot Alisha Choudhary will have to go through the quarter-finals to reach the medal round.
With losing quarter-finalists allowed to compete in repechage bouts for a shot at the bronze medal, the opportunity for a medal would still be alive if she loses. Similarly, Chetan Bhatt could play in the bronze medal bout, if he loses his semi-final match.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026 Day 2 Highlights
Badminton — Indian men’s and women’s teams
Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams are a win away from securing a medal at the 2026 Asian Games. However, they’ll have to overcome the Japan hurdle to secure at least a bronze in the team events. The men’s team are reigning silver medallists.
If they overcome Japan, the men’s team will face the winner between defending champions China and South Korea in the semis. India defeat Korea to reach the final in 2022, before falling short against China.
For the women’s second seed Japan will be a tough opponent to overcome. The Indian women’s team last a won medal in the team event at Asiad in 2014.
Table Tennis — Indian men’s and women’s teams
With the round of 16 and quarter-final matches taking place on the same day, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams could secure medals if they win both rounds and advance to the semi-finals.
But the task at hand is easier said than done, with both teams up against a difficult matchup in the first round of knockouts. The Indian men’s team will face heavyweights South Korea, who are the reigning eight-time silver medallist at the Games. Similarly, the Indian women’s team will play reigning bronze medallist Thailand in their last 16 clash.
Coincidentally, both Indian teams were knocked out by the same opponents in the previous edition of the Asian Games.
Who will India play in the women’s cricket final at Asian Games 2026?
India face Sri Lanka in the gold medal match on September 22. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side reached the final by beating Bangladesh by 114 runs in the semifinal, behind Shafali Verma’s century.
Which Indian shooters compete on Day 3 of Asian Games 2026?
Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Rakesh Mane are in the 10m air rifle mixed team event. The skeet events also conclude, with Anant Jeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Bhavtegh Singh Gill in the men’s event, and Maheshwari Chauhan, Raiza Dhillon and Parinaaz Dhaliwal in the women’s.
Which Indian athletes compete in wushu and swimming on September 22?
Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam competes in the combined Nanquan and Nandao wushu routine. In swimming, Aryan Nehra swims the men’s 1,500m freestyle, and India’s men’s 4x100m medley relay team competes in the heats.
How many medals has India won so far at Asian Games 2026?
India have clinched so medals so far, which includes four silver and two bronze.
In which events will India contest for medals on Day 3 (September 22) at Asian Games 2026?
India will contest for medals in cricket, shooting, wushu, fencing, swimming and Karate. The nation can also secure medals in badminton and table tennis on Tuesday.
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