India Squad for Asian Games 2026 — Full Athletes List

India has sent over 600 athletes to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan — one of the country’s largest delegations at any Asian Games. Competition runs from September 10 to October 2 across 45 sports.

The squad below reflects athletes confirmed by national federations ahead of the Games. Individual selections can change due to fitness or late injury.

India’s Medal Expectations — Sport by Sport

Shooting — India’s Strongest Discipline

Shooting consistently produces more medals for India at the Asian Games than any other sport. The squad covers 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Pistol, 25m Pistol, 50m Rifle, Trap, and Skeet — across men’s, women’s, and mixed team formats. India is expected to claim multiple gold medals from the shooting range, with events beginning early in the Games calendar.

Wrestling

Wrestling is India’s second-largest source of Asian Games medals. The squad includes athletes from freestyle (men’s and women’s) and Greco-Roman categories. Major competing nations include Japan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and South Korea, making wrestling one of the toughest draws India faces.

Badminton

India’s badminton contingent is among the strongest in Asia. The squad competes across men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. India’s men’s doubles pairing has been one of the world’s best in recent years.

Hockey

India men’s hockey team enters as defending Asian Games champion, having won gold at Hangzhou in 2023. India women’s hockey team also has genuine medal prospects. Both teams are strong enough to reach the final stages of the competition.

Boxing

India’s boxing squad has developed significantly. Multiple weight classes are represented across both men’s and women’s categories. Boxing events begin mid-competition at the Asian Games.

Athletics

India’s athletics squad is competing without Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion javelin thrower, who has withdrawn due to an elbow injury. The team still includes javelin throwers, sprint relay squads, long and triple jumpers, and distance runners. India’s athletics depth across field events has grown considerably.

Kabaddi

India’s men’s kabaddi team has won gold at every Asian Games since the sport’s introduction. The women’s team is also dominant. Both squads are overwhelming favourites going into 2026.

Archery

India competes in both recurve and compound archery. India has been most competitive in compound events at the Asian level, where they have produced multiple Asian Games medalists.

Table Tennis

India’s table tennis contingent has improved, particularly in men’s events. However, China and Japan are the clear favourites across table tennis categories at the Asian Games.

Weightlifting

Indian weightlifters compete across multiple weight categories. Weightlifting awards medals early in the Games schedule, giving India an early chance to add to their tally.

India’s Asian Games Medal History

Year	Host	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total	Rank
2023 (2022)	Hangzhou	28	38	41	107	4th
2018	Jakarta	16	23	31	70	8th
2014	Incheon	11	10	36	57	8th
2010	Guangzhou	14	17	34	65	6th

India’s 107-medal total in 2023 was the best in the country’s Asian Games history. The 2026 squad is targeting a result that at minimum matches that benchmark.

Hockey

India’s men’s hockey team enters the 2026 Asian Games as defending Asian Games champions and with considerable Olympic momentum. The squad features key players from the Paris 2024 squad. India’s women’s hockey team is also competitive, aiming to improve on their performance from Hangzhou 2022. Hockey events are scheduled across multiple days in the competition calendar.

Squash

Indian squash has seen rapid development at the elite level. The team competes in both individual and team formats. India’s performance in squash has been steadily improving at the Asian level, with players regularly appearing in the latter rounds of continental competitions.

Cricket (T20)

India fields both men’s and women’s teams in the T20 cricket competition at ASIAD 2026. The Asian Games cricket event is a high-profile draw, with traditional cricket powerhouses from the region competing. India’s cricketing strength makes them strong medal contenders in both categories.

Weightlifting

Indian weightlifters have won medals at multiple Asian Games editions. The 2026 squad competes across several weight categories in both men’s and women’s divisions. India’s strength in the lighter to middle weight categories gives them realistic medal chances against strong competition from China, Kazakhstan, and Central Asian nations.

Cycling

India’s cycling contingent is smaller but has shown improvement on the track. Track cycling events offer India opportunities in individual pursuit and sprint disciplines, where targeted training programmes have raised performance standards in recent years.

India’s Key Athletes to Watch

With 600+ athletes competing across 45 sports, some names are particularly worth watching at ASIAD 2026:

• PV Sindhu — Women’s badminton singles; multiple Asian Games medalist and Olympic champion
• Lakshya Sen — Men’s badminton singles; strong medal prospect
• Saurabh Chaudhary / Manu Bhaker — Shooting; India’s most consistent medal-winning pair
• India Men’s Hockey Team — Defending Asian Games champions
• India Kabaddi Teams — Both men’s and women’s squads are overwhelming favourites
• Indian wrestling contingent — Multiple weight categories with medal potential

Note: Neeraj Chopra (javelin) is absent from the squad due to an elbow injury. For details, see our Neeraj Chopra Asian Games article.

India’s Asian Games 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions

How many athletes are in India’s squad for Asian Games 2026?

India has sent over 600 athletes to the 2026 Asian Games — one of the largest delegations in the country’s Asian Games history. The squad spans 45 sports and was confirmed by national federations ahead of the Games.

Which sports does India have the best medal chances in at ASIAD 2026?

India’s strongest medal-winning sports historically are shooting, wrestling, kabaddi, boxing, and hockey. Shooting alone produced over 20 medals for India at the 2022 Asian Games. Kabaddi (both men’s and women’s) is effectively guaranteed gold.

Is Neeraj Chopra competing at the Asian Games 2026?

No. Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn from the squad due to an elbow injury. Read the full story on our Neeraj Chopra withdrawal page.

What was India’s medal tally at the last Asian Games?

India achieved their best-ever Asian Games result at the Hangzhou 2022 Games (held 2023), winning 107 medals — 28 gold, 38 silver, 41 bronze — finishing 4th in the overall standings.

Where are the 2026 Asian Games held?

The 2026 Asian Games are held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Competition runs from September 10 to October 2, 2026.

How can I watch India at the Asian Games 2026?

In India, Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten 1, 2, 3, 4) and Sony LIV are the official broadcasters. For full channel details, see our Sony Sports ASIAD 2026 guide.

When does India compete in hockey at Asian Games 2026?

Hockey events run across multiple days during the Games. Check the Asian Games Today Hub for the latest daily schedule including India’s hockey fixtures.

Has India ever won gold in kabaddi at the Asian Games?

Yes — India’s men’s kabaddi team has won gold at every Asian Games since kabaddi was introduced to the programme. The women’s team is also the dominant force. ASIAD 2026 is expected to follow the same pattern.

What is India’s target medal tally at Asian Games 2026?

India aims to match or exceed their record of 107 medals from the 2022 Asian Games. With a larger squad and strong showings across shooting, wrestling, and team sports, the target is considered realistic by the Indian Olympic Association.

Follow India at ASIAD 2026

Track India’s day-by-day results on our Asian Games Today Hub, updated throughout each competition day. For the full medal standings, visit the Asian Games 2026 Medal Tally page.