India send 496 athletes across 36 sports to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya
The contingent is 264 men and 232 women. India begin on 17 September, two days before the opening ceremony, and defend titles in cricket, kabaddi and hockey.
India will send 496 athletes to the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, competing across 36 sports at a Games that runs from 19 September to 4 October.
The contingent is made up of 264 men and 232 women.
Before the ceremony
India's campaign starts before the Games are formally opened. The opening ceremony is on 19 September; Indian competition begins on 17 September with teqball.
Sporting action at the Games begins before the ceremony.
Who is going
The named athletes span the disciplines where India has recent Olympic and world-level form.
PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, leads the badminton entry. Mirabai Chanu, an Olympic medallist, competes in weightlifting. Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist, is in the shooting squad. Aman Sehrawat, a bronze medallist at Paris 2024, and Sujeet Kalkal compete in wrestling. Lovlina Borgohain, an Olympic medallist, and Commonwealth Games champion Sakshi Chaudhary are in the boxing squad. Murali Sreeshankar competes in the long jump.
More than 70 Indian track and field athletes are expected in athletics, which will be the largest single component of the contingent.
India also sends men's and women's hockey teams, cricket squads and kabaddi squads.
What India defends
Five titles won at the last Games are on the line: men's and women's cricket, men's and women's kabaddi, and men's hockey.
The benchmark for the contingent as a whole is the 106 medals India took at Hangzhou in 2022 — a record haul, and the number against which this campaign will be measured.
The size of the operation
A contingent of 496 athletes across 36 sports is a substantial logistical undertaking, and athletics alone accounts for more than 70 of the places.
Women's cricket arrives in form
One squad travels with recent evidence behind it. India's women's cricket team won the Asia Cup in Dubai on 13 September, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final for a record eighth title in the competition.
They are among the defending champions in Japan.
The calendar
The Games open on 19 September and close on 4 October.
India took a record 106 medals at the last Games in Hangzhou in 2022, which is the figure this contingent will be measured against.
Sources
- The Bridge — The Bridge Desk. 496 athletes, 264 men and 232 women, across 36 sports; Games 19 Sep to 4 Oct at Aichi-Nagoya; India start 17 Sep with teqball; Sindhu, Sreeshankar, Mirabai Chanu, Sujeet Kalkal named; record 106 medals at Hangzhou 2022.
- ANI via The Tribune — ANI. Opening ceremony 19 Sep; India begin 17 Sep; Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Manu Bhaker, Aman Sehrawat, Lovlina Borgohain and Sakshi Chaudhary named; more than 70 track and field athletes; defending champions in cricket, kabaddi and mens hockey.
