India Banks on Youth and Experience as AITA Names Tennis Squad for Asian Games 2026
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has unveiled India’s tennis squad for the 2026 Asian Games, assembling a mix of established campaigners and rising stars as the nation prepares for the continental showpiece in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Leading the men’s challenge is India’s top singles player Sumit Nagal, while Sahaja Yamalapalli will spearhead the women’s campaign. The selected contingent reflects a strategic blend of singles specialists and experienced doubles players, giving India multiple medal opportunities across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.
Men’s Squad
India’s six-member men’s team features:
Sumit Nagal
Manas Dhamne
Dhakshineshwar Suresh
Yuki Bhambri
N. Sriram Balaji
Anirudh Chandrasekar
Nagal enters the Games as India’s leading singles hope, while the doubles unit looks particularly strong with seasoned performers Yuki Bhambri, Balaji, and Chandrasekar. Their experience on the international circuit could prove crucial in high-pressure knockout matches.
Women’s Squad
The women’s team includes:
Sahaja Yamalapalli
Vaishnavi Adkar
Vaidehi Chaudhari
Ankita Raina
Prarthana Thombare
Shrivalli Bhamidipaty
Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare bring valuable experience to the doubles events, while younger players such as Sahaja Yamalapalli and Shrivalli Bhamidipaty represent the next generation of Indian tennis talent.
Reserve Players
Men’s Reserves
Karan Singh
Rithvik Bollipalli
Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha
Women’s Reserves
Sai Samhitha Chamarthi
Rutuja Bhosale
Akanksha Nitture
Focus on Doubles Success
Historically, India has enjoyed considerable success in doubles competitions at major multi-sport events. The inclusion of multiple doubles specialists suggests that AITA is targeting medals in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, where India’s experience could provide a competitive edge against some of Asia’s strongest tennis nations.
Road to Aichi-Nagoya
The 2026 Asian Games will bring together the continent’s leading tennis talents, including players from Japan, China, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. With a balanced squad combining youth, experience, and proven doubles expertise, India will hope to improve its standing and challenge for podium finishes across several categories.
As the countdown to Aichi-Nagoya begins, Indian tennis fans will be eager to see whether this carefully selected squad can convert potential into medals on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.
