Rishabh Pant rallies India fans behind Asian Games 2026 contingent
Synopsis
Rishabh Pant is rallying the nation behind India's largest-ever Asian Games squad as they head to Aichi-Nagoya seeking to surpass the record 107-medal haul from Hangzhou 2023. With Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor as flag-bearers and defending titles across cricket, kabaddi and hockey, India's continental ambitions have never been higher.
Key Takeaways
Rishabh Pant shared a video on Instagram urging Indian fans to support the contingent at the 2026 Asian Games .
The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — the country's third time hosting — featuring 45 nations across 43 sports .
India are defending champions in men's and women's cricket , kabaddi , and men's hockey .
India targets surpassing the 107 medals (28 gold) won at Hangzhou 2023 , their best-ever Asian Games tally.
Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor named as India's flag-bearers for the opening ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday.
Olympic quotas are available in archery , sailing , squash , surfing , and tennis .
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has thrown his weight behind the Indian contingent ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, urging fans across the country to rally behind the athletes as they chase glory on the continental stage. The cricketer shared a message of encouragement on Instagram, expressing his excitement for the Games and calling on supporters to cheer the athletes regardless of the outcome.
What Pant Said
'Really excited to watch the Asian Games. Let us get behind our Indian athletes and support them and let's hope they give their best. Regardless of what happens, let us get behind them, give them a big cheer and a lot of support,' Pant said in his video post.
About the 2026 Asian Games
The 2026 Asian Games mark the 20th edition of the continental showpiece, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). Hosted by Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, this is the third time Japan has staged the event, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. A total of 45 countries and regions will compete across 43 sports.
India's Medal Ambitions
India travel to Aichi-Nagoya buoyed by a record-breaking campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where they finished with 107 medals — including 28 gold. The contingent arrives as defending champions in men's and women's cricket, men's and women's kabaddi, and men's hockey, making them formidable across team events.
Badminton star PV Sindhu will spearhead the shuttlers, while Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu leads the weightlifting contingent. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker heads the shooting team alongside wrestler Aman Sehrawat, and boxer Lovlina Borgohain will seek a podium finish. In athletics, over 75 track and field athletes have been named, with Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji, and Parul Chaudhary among the leading medal prospects. Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor enters as a two-time defending champion in his discipline. Olympic quotas are also on offer in archery, sailing, squash, surfing, and tennis.
Opening Ceremony and Flag-Bearers
Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm IST on Saturday. Their selection honours their status as two of India's most decorated track and field athletes in recent years.
What's Next
With India eyeing an improved tally beyond the 107 medals won at Hangzhou, the contingent faces a high bar set by its own recent history. The coming days will test whether India's depth across team sports and individual disciplines can translate into a haul that surpasses the country's best-ever Asian Games performance.
Point of View
But the real question is whether the momentum is institutional or event-specific. With defending titles in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey, the pressure to retain is as real as the pressure to improve. If India underperforms relative to 2023, the post-event political noise around sports funding will return swiftly.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Rishabh Pant say about the 2026 Asian Games?
Rishabh Pant shared a video on Instagram urging fans to rally behind the Indian contingent at the 2026 Asian Games, saying he was 'really excited' to watch and called on supporters to 'give them a big cheer and a lot of support.' He encouraged fans to back the athletes regardless of the results.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — the country's third time hosting the Games after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. This is the 20th edition of the continental showpiece, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia.
Who are India's flag-bearers for the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony?
Double Olympic medallist pistol shooter Manu Bhaker and two-time defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India's flag-bearers. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm IST.
What is India's target at the 2026 Asian Games?
India are aiming to surpass their record-breaking campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where they won 107 medals including 28 gold — their best-ever tally at the Asian Games. India arrive as defending champions in men's and women's cricket, kabaddi, and men's hockey.
Which Indian athletes are key medal prospects at Asian Games 2026?
Key medal prospects include PV Sindhu in badminton, Mirabai Chanu in weightlifting, Manu Bhaker in shooting, Aman Sehrawat in wrestling, and Lovlina Borgohain in boxing. In athletics, Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji, and Parul Chaudhary are among the frontrunners, with Tajinderpal Singh Toor defending his shot put title.
