Meet the youngest athlete in India’s contingent for Asian Games 2026
Several teenagers will represent India at the Aichi-Nagoya Games
India will send a 503-member contingent to the upcoming Asian Games 2026, which takes place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. This squad includes a mix of established stars like PV Sindhu and Manu Bhaker, and up-and-coming youngsters brimming with potential.
The Indian contingent contains several teenagers, many of whom have already taken their respective sports by storm.
Anahat Singh, 18-year-old, recently became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championships. Another 18-year-old, Anushka Yadav, briefly the national record holder in hammer throw, is a part of the athletics squad.
Mohammed Ashfaq (19) holds the national U20 record in the men’s 400m. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Prithika Pradeep is a senior World Cup medallist in archery. Syndrela Das, also 17, will compete in the women’s doubles and women’s team events in table tennis.
However, the youngest member of the Indian contingent is cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At just 15, the young batter is set to become the youngest athlete to represent India at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026 – Why was Annu Rani dropped from India’s athletics contingent?
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s career so far
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Vaibhav made his First-Class debut for Bihar at just 12, becoming the fourth-youngest player ever to feature in the Ranji Trophy.
He made his T20 debut at 13 in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, becoming the youngest Indian to do so. He also became the youngest List A cricketer when he played for Bihar in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He broke several records, including becoming the youngest player to score a century and 150 runs in List A cricket. As a result, Rajasthan Royals signed him for ₹1.1 crore when he was just 13, making him the youngest player ever bought at an IPL auction.
He made his IPL debut in April 2025, hitting a six on his very first ball. He became the youngest IPL centurion in April, scoring 101 off 38 balls against Gujarat Titans. Since then, he has scored 1,028 runs in 23 matches, including two centuries and five half-centuries.
Vaibhav made his international debut against England, becoming the youngest Indian to play international cricket. So far, he has played six T20Is for India and scored 193 runs, including two half-centuries.
Who is youngest athlete in India’s contingent for Asian Games 2026?
The youngest athlete is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 15-year-old cricket prodigy.
When did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his IPL debut?
He debuted for Rajasthan Royals in April 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants, hitting a six off his very first ball.
When did Vaibhav Sooryavanshi make his Team India debut?
Vaibhav made his international debut against England in July this year, becoming the youngest Indian to play international cricket.
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