Asian Games 2026: What to expect from India in each event, sport-wise breakdown

The Sports Ministry has approved a large Indian contingent to compete across 36 disciplines

India enjoyed a highly successful campaign at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, and the contingent will be aiming to build on that momentum at this edition in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The Sports Ministry has sanctioned a huge contingent across 36 disciplines for the Asian Games 2026, to be held between September 19 and October 4.

The Indian contingent has increased from 492 to 503 athletes, including 269 men and 234 women, comprising four surfers, six athletes and a couple of mixed martial arts fighters. The support group comprises 265 members, including 246 coaches and support staff and 19 IOA contingent officials.

However, this year, the number of athletes in the Indian contingent is significantly lower than at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou. At that time, India had sent 661 athletes, comprising 333 men and 328 women.

What to expect from Indian Contingent at Asian Games 2026?

Athletics

India can win several medals in athletics. The country’s athletes bagged 29 medals in the sport at the Hangzhou Asian Games, including a handful of golds. Athletes like Avinash Sable, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Parul Chaudhary and Annu Rani successfully defended their titles.

The only major change in India’s athletics contingent from the last edition is Neeraj Chopra‘s withdrawal from the tournament.

Shooting

Shooting has also emerged as one of India’s most prolific medal-winning disciplines. The country heads into the Games with a formidable contingent of shooters, having secured seven gold medals in the sport at the Asian Games 2022. Expectations will be elevated in the rifle, pistol and shotgun divisions.

Archery

India’s compound archers will enter the tournament under significant expectations after sweeping all the gold medals in the compound archery events at the 2022 Asian Games. Jyothi Surekha Vennam is a big name in the archery contingent, and India’s recurve archers too will look to challenge their rivals.

Related: List of all Olympic medallists who will represent India at Asian Games 2026

Hockey

Both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will be in action, with the men entering the tournament as the reigning Asian Games champions. Meanwhile, the women arrive after a fifth-place finish at the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup — their best-ever result at the tournament.

Both sides will be among India’s key medal contenders in Aichi-Nagoya.

Cricket

Both the men’s and women’s teams will look to successfully defend the titles they won at the 2022 Asian Games.

The Shreyas Iyer-led men’s side are the defending T20 World Champions, while the women’s side too has been consistent in recent years. India will aim to bag gold medals in both cricket events.

Badminton

India’s badminton team is strong, featuring shuttlers like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

Men’s doubles pair Satwik-Chirag will aim to defend their title, while singles players and the women’s team will also contend for medals. The badminton team has 20 members, including some top players.

Wrestling

India will also aim to win medals in wrestling, with a squad comprising 16 wrestlers. The team has some prominent names like Antim Panghal and Aman Sehrawat.

India’s wrestlers’ performance will also indicate the country’s depth in the sport after the Tokyo and Paris Olympic cycles.

Boxing

India have fielded 11 boxers at the Asian Games 2026. Following their performances at the Commonwealth Games 2026, Lovlina Borgohain, Narender Barwal and Jadumani will be among the Indian boxers to watch closely.

Kabbadi

The men’s and women’s teams will be aiming to defend the gold medals they won at the 2022 Asian Games. Kabaddi is one of India’s traditional strengths, and both teams’ performance will count toward the country’s overall medal tally.

Squash

Squash is another sport where India will be aiming for medals. Indian squash players’ recent performance has underlined their importance to the country’s multi-sport medal campaign, particularly in team events.

Related: What is India’s highest finish in medal tally at Asian Games?

Weightlifting

All eyes will be on India’s weightlifting queen Mirabai Chanu, who will look to win her first Asian Games medal after missing the podium in her two previous appearances. She will compete in the women’s 49kg category.

Other Olympic Sports

Indian athletes will also feature in rowing, gymnastics, fencing, cycling and other sports. These athletes will provide India with additional medal opportunities in disciplines beyond its traditional medal-producing sports.

The contingent has 22 rowers and 16 wrestlers. More than 300 athletes will be making their Asian Games debut in the upcoming edition.

Overall picture

India’s strongest medal prospects are expected to come from athletics, shooting and archery. At the same time, hockey, cricket, badminton, wrestling, boxing, kabaddi, squash and weightlifting will also offer significant opportunities for the contingent.

India produced a record haul of 107 medals at the 2022 Asian Games — 28 gold, 39 silver and 41 bronze medals.

The only big change in the Indian contingent this time is the absence of Neeraj Chopra, who was expected to defend his men’s javelin throw title. But several newcomers are on the Indian side. The Sports Ministry said more than 300 athletes in the 503-member contingent will be debutants at the Asian Games 2026.

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