P.V. Sindhu, Manu Bhaker, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
As the 20th Asian Games begins, India would be looking for yet another scintillating performance after its record-breaking streak in at the last event at Hangzhou 2023 where it secured 107 medals, including 28 gold. However, this year’s medal prospects took a beating with Neeraj Chopra, who led India’s 1-2 finish in the men’s Javelin thrower event in Hangzhou, was ruled out following an injury.
Nevertheless, the Indian contingent features other notable names, including Olympic medalists PV Sindhu and Manu Bhaker. Apart from individual athletes, Indian cricket and hockey teams would be also entering the arena, hoping to increase the medal tally.
Who are the key players at 2026 Asian Games
PV Sindhu
India’s PV Sindhu plays at the 19th Asian Games, in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
P.V. Sindhu has an enviable medal tally with the ace player winning a silver in 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Along with the Olympic medals, the badminton player also has five BWF World Championship medals, including a gold, to her name, making her the only Indian to achieve this feat. Her Asian Games’ outings have also been fruitful with a silver in women’s singles at the 2018 event and bronze in women’s teams at the 2014.
Mirabai Chanu
India’s Mirabhai Chanu Shaikhom in action at the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) at the Bhogeswari indoor stadium in Guwahati on February 06, 2016.
Photo: K. Murali Kumar
Mirabai Chanu, who won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 48kg, would lead India in the weightlifting contingent. After missing the 2018 Asian Games due to a back issue and getting injured on the competition platform during the next edition in 2023, she would be hoping to break jinx and land an elusive medal at this year’s event.
Manu Bhaker
Indian Sport Shooter and Olympic Medalist Manu Bhaker during a training session at the Shooting Range in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on September 07, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
MOORTHY RV
Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian ever to win twin medals in a single edition of the Games in 2024 Paris Olympics and the first female Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal, is also among India’s hopefuls for winning a medal.
Aman Sehrawat
Aman won bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57kg match against Darian Toi Cruz (Puerto Rico) in Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris on August 9, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
RITU RAJ KONWAR
Another Olympic medal winner from 2024 Paris, Aman Sehrawat will lead the charge in wrestling. Asian Games 2022 silver medalist Deepak Punia is the other prominent name in the 15-member wrestling contingent of India.
Lovlina Borgohain
Lovlina Borgohain of Team India reacts after winning the Women’s 75kg preliminary round match with Sunniva Hofstad of Team Norway on day five of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at North Paris Arena on July 31, 2024 in Paris, France.
The Assam boxer Lovlina Borgohain made the country proud with the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics but missed out on a medal at the Paris Games. She had won silver in women’s 75kg boxing in 2023 Asian Games.
Indian cricket teams
India’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during a practice session ahead of the first T20 cricket match series between India and Afghanistan, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on September 11, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Shreyas Iyer will lead the men’s T20 cricket team, while Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the women’s T20 team. Both teams secured gold medal in the 2023 Games in Hangzhou. Fans would also be eager to see 15-year-old IPL sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in action as he takes the field in in Aichi-Nagoya.
Indian hockey teams
Salima Tete, captain of India Hockey women team.
| Photo Credit:
MURALI KUMAR K
With Aichi-Nagoya serving as continental qualification events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, both men’s and women’s hockey teams’ performances will be keenly watched. Harmanpreet Singh retains the captaincy for the men’s team as India begins its title defence in Aichi-Nagoya. Salima Tete will lead the women’s team, which secured bronze in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou.
Published – September 17, 2026 05:30 pm IST
