India’s athletics squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, is packed with proven champions, returning stars and a few selections that have raised eyebrows.
The 73-member contingent will be led by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, who will chase a historic third consecutive Asian Games gold in the men’s javelin throw. The Games will be held from September 19 to October 4.
However, while Chopra’s inclusion was expected, it is the return of Avinash Sable and the selection of Tejas Shirse despite injury that have given the squad its biggest storyline.
Sable gets a comeback opportunity
Sable has been away from competitive action for much of the past year after undergoing surgery for an ACL and meniscus injury in his right knee.
The 31-year-old suffered the injury while competing at the Monaco Diamond League in 2025 and underwent surgery in July that year. Since then, he has had very limited competition, appearing only once this season in a 5000m race in Belgium. He also missed the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar, the final qualifying event for the Asian Games.
Yet Sable’s championship credentials remain difficult to overlook.
Sable’s key record:
2022 Asian Games: Gold, 3000m steeplechase
2022 Asian Games: Silver, 5000m
2025 Asian Championships: Gold, 3000m steeplechase
2022 Commonwealth Games: Silver, 3000m steeplechase
His selection is therefore less about current competition volume and more about trusting an athlete who has repeatedly delivered on major championship stages.
Shirse selection raises the biggest question
The inclusion of Tejas Shirse in the men’s 110m hurdles squad is another major talking point.
Shirse, India’s national record holder in the 110m hurdles, suffered two stress fractures in his left foot during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He had indicated earlier that the injury would prevent him from taking part in the Asian Games.
His selection suggests that the door has been left open should he recover in time.
For now, however, his fitness remains the obvious concern. A place in the squad does not necessarily mean he will be fit enough to compete when the athletics programme begins in September.
Chopra leads a strong group of returning champions
The squad also features several athletes who won medals at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.
Chopra will be joined in the javelin by Rohit Yadav, who recently produced a personal best of 87.68m at a World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar.
Other Hangzhou champions returning include:
Avinash Sable – 3000m steeplechase
Tajinderpal Singh Toor – shot put
Parul Chaudhary – 1500m, 5000m and 3000m steeplechase
Annu Rani – javelin throw
Toor will be targeting a third successive Asian Games gold, while Parul has been selected across three events.
India starts from a record-breaking position
India’s athletics campaign at Hangzhou 2023 produced its best-ever Asian Games medal haul in the sport: 29 medals, comprising six gold, 14 silver and nine bronze.
The 2026 squad includes 16 athletes who won medals at Hangzhou, giving India a substantial core of championship experience.
Names such as Jyothi Yarraji, Murali Sreeshankar, Tejaswin Shankar, Gulveer Singh, Mohammed Afsal, Ancy Sojan, Praveen Chithravel and Vithya Ramraj are also part of the contingent.
The real story behind the selections
On paper, India’s squad looks strong. But the most interesting element is the balance between proven pedigree and present fitness.
Sable has the medals but needs to prove that his body is ready for a demanding 3000m steeplechase campaign. Shirse has the national record but faces a race against time to recover. Chopra, meanwhile, carries the clearest expectation of all: another Asian Games javelin title.
India enters Aichi-Nagoya with the confidence of its record performance in Hangzhou. But this time, some of the most compelling stories may come not just from those expected to win medals, but from athletes attempting to make remarkable comebacks.
Key Numbers
73 – Athletes in India’s athletics contingent
29 – Athletics medals won by India at Hangzhou 2023
6 – Gold medals won by Indian athletics in Hangzhou
87.68m – Rohit Yadav’s recent personal-best javelin throw
3 – Asian Games gold medals Chopra is targeting
2 – Stress fractures suffered by Tejas Shirse in his left foot
Discussion about this post