Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has made it clear that nothing less than gold will be acceptable for Indian cricket at the Asian Games. In a video shared by Sony Sports Network, Pujara reflected on the significance of the Asian Games and said that Gold should be the clear target for the Indian teams. He made this comment on the Sony Sports studio during the break while working for the India tour of Sri Lanka. India prepares to defend its titles in both the men’s and women’s cricket competitions at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Cricket returns to the Asian Games in the T20 format. 

The women’s tournament will run from 17 to 22 September with eight teams and a straight knockout structure. Defending champions India open against hosts Japan in the quarter-finals. The men’s event follows from 24 September, featuring ten sides. India, along with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh enter directly at the quarter-final stage while the remaining teams will play in a preliminary phase. India claimed gold in both categories at the previous Games in Hangzhou.

Harsha Bhogle Praises Harmanpreet Kaur’s Comments on the Asian Games

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has said that he enjoyed listening to what Indian Women's captain Harmapreet Kaur said about the Asian Games. During a conversation on Sony Sports Network while the second Test between Sri Lanka and India was in progress, the veteran commentator reflected on the recent interview by Harmanpreet Kaur regarding how multiple sports come together during the games. He said that while other sports get a very small fraction of what cricket players get despite working equally hard it puts it into perspective and that it is good to know the journey of various players.

“I so enjoyed listening to Harman talking about the Asian Games. She said that it gives them the chance to witness other sports, meet other players, understand their routines so it’s not just only about cricket but knowing your other sports fellows also on how they prepare.” Bhogle said.  

The veteran commentator said that athletes competing in other disciplines often put in the same effort, the same years of sacrifice and the same intensity. The point was made simply as a recognition of the different economies that shape different sports. In multi-sport events such as the Asian Games, he suggested, these stories of grit and unequal reward become especially visible. The Asian Games will open in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 19 September 2026 and go on until 4 October. India’s large contingent has already been named and the event will once again bring together athletes from different sports