India is reportedly set to send a 492-member athlete contingent to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Sports Ministry has approved 265 men and 227 women across 35 sports. The Games will take place from September 19 to October 4. Athletics will have the biggest representation, with 73 athletes selected. The squad includes two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, along with Murali Sreeshankar, Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar and Jyothi Yarraji. Shooting will also have 30 athletes, with Manu Bhaker among the leading names. India’s badminton squad includes PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

According to reports by veteran journalist Boria Majumbdar, Cricket will have 30 athletes, covering the men’s and women’s T20 teams. India will also field full-strength men’s and women’s kabaddi teams. Kabaddi will have 24 players in total as India look to defend both gold medals won at the previous Asian Games. Rowing will send 22 athletes, while badminton and fencing will have 20 each. Esports has 15 athletes, while wrestling has 16.

However, the ministry is yet to announce the support staff travelling with the athletes. Sources suggest that list is expected to be released separately. The selection has also drawn attention after some athletes were left out under the ministry’s selection criteria.

“The idea was to send a lean contingent”: Sports Ministry defends Asian Games 2026 selection criteria

The Sports Ministry has refused to change its selection policy for the 2026 Asian Games. The decision comes after several athletes missed out on the final 492-member squad. The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. According to the ministry, only athletes ranked among Asia’s top six in their events were eligible. Officials also stressed that the Games were not meant simply to give athletes experience. A ministry source said, “A lot of pressure was there (on us). Some parents came and said that my child has not been selected.” The source added that athletes meeting the criteria would not be left out.

The ministry also defended its approach with a simple example involving the 100m. “If somebody has to run inside 10 seconds to be a contender for a medal in the 100m event, should we send an athlete who runs 15 seconds?” the source said. Former tennis player Rohan Bopanna had criticised the exclusion of five players from the tennis contingent. He questioned why rankings and qualifications mattered if selections could be decided beforehand. The ministry, however, maintained that the rules had been clear for a year. “The idea, from the very beginning, was to send a lean contingent,” the source said. “The criteria was announced a year ago, and everyone had the time to figure it out and qualify.” The ministry said some additions could still happen with Olympic Council of Asia approval.