Asian Games 2026: Pawan Sehrawat replaces Tajinderpal Toor as India's flag-bearer
Synopsis
Hours before the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening ceremony, India's flag-bearer lineup changed — kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat steps in for shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who was ruled out due to technical issues. Sehrawat, an Arjuna Award winner and former kabaddi captain, now co-leads the Indian march alongside shooter Manu Bhaker at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Pawan Sehrawat will replace Tajinderpal Singh Toor as India's flag-bearer at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening ceremony on Saturday .
Toor was ruled out of the flag-bearer role due to technical issues ; his competition participation is not affected.
Sehrawat will co-lead the Indian contingent alongside double Olympic medallist and shooter Manu Bhaker .
Sehrawat won the Arjuna Award in 2023 and led India to victory at the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship .
India's track and field athletes have been at an acclimatisation camp at University of Tsukuba near Tokyo since 13 September .
The opening ceremony is set at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan .
Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat will carry the Indian tricolour at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening ceremony on Saturday evening, stepping in for shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who has been ruled out of the flag-bearer role due to technical issues. The ceremony is scheduled at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
The Last-Minute Change
An official of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) confirmed the switch, saying: 'Due to technical issues, Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be unable to serve as India's flag-bearer. Pawan Sehrawat will instead lead the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony on Saturday evening.' Sehrawat will co-lead the march alongside double Olympic medallist and shooter Manu Bhaker, who retains her position as the second flag-bearer.
Who Is Pawan Sehrawat
Sehrawat is widely regarded as one of India's foremost kabaddi players. He was part of the Indian side that clinched gold at the previous Asian Games and had captained the team during that successful campaign. He also led India to the title at the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship, and his contributions to the sport earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2023. At the current Games, Sunil Kumar takes over the captaincy, with Sehrawat operating in a senior leadership role within the squad.
India's Athletics Contingent Prepares
The change in flag-bearer comes as India's athletics contingent continues its build-up to competition. Track and field athletes have been stationed at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo since 13 September, undergoing an acclimatisation camp before relocating to Nagoya on Monday. Athletics events are scheduled to begin two days after their arrival in the host city. The absence of Toor — one of India's top field athletes — from the ceremonial role, however, has not been linked to any fitness or competition-readiness concern; only the flag-bearing duty is affected.
Kabaddi's Eye on Gold
India's men's kabaddi team enters the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as defending champions at the continental level, and Sehrawat is expected to be central to the team's campaign both on the mat and as a senior voice in the dressing room. His elevation to flag-bearer adds symbolic weight to a team aiming for another gold medal run. The opening ceremony on Saturday will formally signal the start of competition for athletes from across Asia gathering at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
Point of View
But Sehrawat's elevation carries a larger narrative. Kabaddi — an indigenous sport with limited global footprint — rarely gets this kind of ceremonial spotlight, and his selection reinforces the sport's growing institutional standing in Indian sports administration. The IOA's vague 'technical issues' explanation for Toor's removal will invite questions: shot-putters are not typically withdrawn on technical grounds this close to a ceremony. A clearer statement would serve both Toor's reputation and India's sporting image on an international stage.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Tajinderpal Singh Toor replaced as India's flag-bearer at the Asian Games?
Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced due to 'technical issues', according to an Indian Olympic Association official. The nature of those issues has not been publicly specified; his participation in athletic competition is not reported to be affected.
Who is Pawan Sehrawat and why was he chosen as flag-bearer?
Pawan Sehrawat is a decorated kabaddi player who won gold at the previous Asian Games, captained India's kabaddi team, led the side to the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship title, and received the Arjuna Award in 2023. He was selected as a senior athlete and leadership figure within the Indian contingent.
Who are India's flag-bearers at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening ceremony?
India's two flag-bearers are kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat and double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker. They will co-lead the Indian contingent at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on Saturday evening.
When and where is the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday evening at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, formally marking the start of competition for athletes from across Asia.
What is Pawan Sehrawat's role in the Indian kabaddi team at this Asian Games?
Sehrawat is a senior player in the squad but not the captain this time — that role has been taken over by Sunil Kumar. He is expected to play a key role on the mat and within the leadership group as India's men's kabaddi team defends its continental dominance.
