BCCI VP Shukla backs India for Asiad cricket double at Aichi-Nagoya
Synopsis
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has declared India will win gold in both men's and women's cricket at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games — a bold call for a back-to-back title defence. With VVS Laxman stepping in as men's coach and both squads entering directly at the quarter-final stage, the structural confidence matches the verbal one.
Key Takeaways
BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla predicted gold medals for both the Indian men's and women's cricket teams at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games .
India are defending champions in both events, having won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games .
The women's team begins at the quarter-final stage on 18 September ; the men's team on 28 September .
VVS Laxman will coach the men's side, with Gautam Gambhir on a scheduled break; Amol Muzumdar will handle the women's team.
The Asian Games run from 19 September to 4 October in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has expressed full confidence in both the Indian men's and women's cricket teams to defend their titles at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, predicting gold medals in both events. Speaking at the Asian Games send-off ceremony in New Delhi on 8 September, Shukla said the contingent is leaving nothing to chance.
Shukla's Confidence in Full
'We are fully prepared for the Asian Games. The cricket contingent is going there fully prepared. There will be a good show. We will win for sure and get the gold medal, both men and women. There is no doubt about it,' Shukla said at the send-off event.
India enters the tournament as defending champions in both disciplines, having clinched gold in men's and women's cricket at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. The Aichi-Nagoya Games mark a significant opportunity for India to cement its continental dominance in the sport.
Competition Schedule and Format
The women's team will begin their campaign at the quarter-final stage on 18 September, with semi-finals set for 20 September and medal matches on 22 September. The men's team enters the fray at the quarter-final stage on 28 September, with semi-finals on 1 October and medal matches on 3 October. Both squads bypass the group stage entirely, reflecting India's seeded status as defending champions.
Coaching Arrangements Confirmed
The BCCI has finalised coaching setups for both sides. VVS Laxman, Head of the Centre of Excellence, will lead the men's coaching staff for the continental event, stepping in as regular head coach Gautam Gambhir takes a scheduled break ahead of India's white-ball series against the West Indies, which begins on 27 September.
Laxman will be supported by former India spinner Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh. The women's team will be guided by coach Amol Muzumdar.
India's Broader Asiad Push
The Asian Games run from 19 September to 4 October in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India's overall contingent includes several Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists competing across multiple disciplines. Cricket's return as a key team sport at the continental showpiece adds weight to the overall medal tally ambitions. Notably, this is only the second edition of the Asian Games to feature cricket since its reintroduction at Hangzhou, making India's back-to-back title defence a significant test of the programme's depth.
With a structured coaching setup, direct quarter-final entries, and the backing of the BCCI's top brass, India will look to close out both gold medals and reinforce cricket's growing profile within the Asian Games framework.
Point of View
But the real story is structural: India enters both draws as seeded defending champions, bypassing the group stage entirely — a scheduling advantage that meaningfully reduces upset risk. The decision to rest Gautam Gambhir ahead of the West Indies series while deploying VVS Laxman signals the BCCI's intent to treat the Asian Games seriously without disrupting the senior programme's rhythm. Whether the relatively inexperienced tournament-level coaching setup can replicate Hangzhou's success will be the quiet subplot to watch.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla say about India's Asian Games cricket chances?
Rajeev Shukla expressed complete confidence that both the Indian men's and women's teams will win gold medals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. He made the remarks at the Asian Games send-off ceremony in New Delhi on 8 September.
When do India's men's and women's cricket teams play at the 2024 Asian Games?
The women's team enters at the quarter-final stage on 18 September, with semi-finals on 20 September and medal matches on 22 September. The men's team begins on 28 September, with semi-finals on 1 October and medal matches on 3 October.
Who will coach India's cricket teams at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games?
VVS Laxman, Head of the Centre of Excellence, will coach the men's team, assisted by Sunil Joshi, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, and Subhadeep Ghosh. Amol Muzumdar will coach the women's team. Regular head coach Gautam Gambhir is on a scheduled break.
Is India the defending champion in cricket at the Asian Games?
Yes, India won gold in both men's and women's cricket at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and enters the Aichi-Nagoya edition as the defending champion in both events.
When and where are the 2024 Asian Games being held?
The Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October. India is fielding a large contingent across multiple disciplines, including cricket.
