India Gears Up for Exciting Asian Games with High Hopes in Hockey and Cricket
India’s hockey and cricket teams are stepping into the Asian Games with great expectations. The cricket teams, led by Shreyas Iyer for the men and Harmanpreet Kaur for the women, are seen as favorites, aiming to carry forward their strong performances from previous tournaments and secure spots in the LA Olympics in 2028.
In hockey, the story has been mixed. Off the field, controversies surrounding Hockey India and issues regarding team jerseys drew significant attention during last month’s World Cup. The men’s team finished in 8th place in Belgium and the Netherlands, which was disappointing. However, the women’s team exceeded expectations with a commendable fifth-place finish.
Despite recent challenges, both teams are now heading to the Asian Games with hopes of performing better than they did in the World Cups.
A Rising Star in Cricket: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The Asian Games in Japan will spotlight 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is expected to play a crucial role for India. Although he hasn’t had much recent game time, his impressive strike rate of 189.21 has made him a player to watch.
Jasprit Bumrah, returning from an injury layoff, will lead India’s bowling attack, looking to shine during the tournament. The women’s team, fresh off a victory at the Women’s Asia Cup, is keen to showcase its talent, led by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma. With Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership in the middle order, the batting lineup is looking strong. Key players like Deepti Sharma and the return of Shreyanka Patil bring added depth to their squad.
Can the Women’s Hockey Team Claim Gold?
The Indian women’s hockey team appears to be on the upswing. Under coach Sjoerd Marijne’s guidance, they have built a strong team spirit. They performed well in their recent matches, holding the defending Asian Games champions to a 2-2 draw. Salima Tete will captivate the squad, blending youthful enthusiasm with experienced players.
If they can replicate their recent performance, it could lead to the first Asian Games gold for the women’s team in 44 years. For the men, anything less than gold would be deemed a disappointment. After claiming gold in the previous Asian Games and winning the Asia Cup in India, this is a vital chance for them to bounce back from their World Cup performance and secure Olympic qualification.
India’s Historical Performance in Hockey and Cricket
Men’s hockey has been part of the Asian Games since 1958, with India dominating the early years alongside Pakistan. Women’s hockey joined in 1982, where India won the first-ever gold medal but has struggled to reclaim that success since. The men’s team boasts four golds, nine silvers, and three bronzes, while the women have achieved one gold, two silvers, and four bronzes.
Cricket made its Asian Games debut in 2010, except for the 2018 edition. India previously won gold in both men’s and women’s cricket in 2022.
Squads for the Asian Games 2026
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Men’s Cricket: Shreyas Iyer (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (VC), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yash Thakur.
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Women’s Cricket: Renuka Thakur, Arundhati Reddy, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Bharti Fulmali, Kranti Gaud, Richa Ghosh, G Kamalini, Smriti Mandhana (VC), Sree Charani, Shreyanka Patil, Pratika Rawal, Deepti Sharma, Nandani Sharma, Radha Yadav.
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Men’s Hockey: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera (GKs), Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay Rana, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach (Defenders), Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad (Midfielders), Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek (Forwards).
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Women’s Hockey: Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam (GKs), Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas (Defenders), Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (C), Neha, Deepika Soreng (Midfielders), Lalremsiami, Rutuja Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung (Forwards).
Upcoming Match Schedules for 2026
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Men’s Cricket Schedule:
- Sept 28: Quarterfinal
- Oct 1: Semifinals
- Oct 3: Finals
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Women’s Cricket Schedule:
- Sept 18: Quarterfinal vs Japan
- Sept 20: Semifinals
- Sept 22: Finals
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Men’s Hockey Schedule:
- Sept 20: vs Indonesia
- Sept 22: vs Sri Lanka
- Following matches through October 3.
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Women’s Hockey Schedule:
- Sept 20: vs Uzbekistan
- Following matches through October 2.
With excitement building as the Asian Games approach, both the hockey and cricket teams are set to make India proud on the international stage.
