Asian Games 2026: Cricket and hockey expected to be favorites to win gold

ByTech Word News

For India, the expectations of the hockey and cricket teams will be huge. Cricket teams enter the tournament as clear favorites to dominate the field, just like last time. Led by Shreyas Iyer and Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will be hoping that their star power is enough to automatically qualify for the 2028 LA Olympics.

As far as hockey is concerned, things haven’t been great for India off the field. Power struggle in Hockey Indiaplus the whole jersey controversy took center stage during last month’s World Cup. In terms of performance in Belgium and the Netherlands, the Indian men’s team finished 8th and failed to live up to the billing. But the women’s team punched above its weight and stunned everyone with a fifth-place finish.

ASIAN GAMES 2026: FULL REPORT

Despite this, both teams will head into the Asian Games with the favorites tag firmly attached, hoping to do better than their recent performance during the World Cup.

SOORYAVANSHI, BUMRAH LEAD THE CRICKET CONTINGENT

The Asian Games will be gearing up for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to storm in Japan as the 15-year-old is expected to play a key role during India’s campaign.

While he may not have had much time recently, his strike rate of 189.21 will have teams looking for a way to stop him.

Add to that the fact that India’s bowling line-up will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, who is fighting for a medal. Bumrah impressed during the Afghanistan series after coming back from injury.

The Indian women’s team is fresh off winning the Women’s Asia Cup and will be hoping to dominate the field. The batting led by Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma up front and with the presence of Harmanpreet Kaur in the middle remains one of the best in the pack.

Deepti Sharma, Sree Charani and Prema Rawat will provide spin options and the return of Shreyanka Patil comes as a timely boost.

CAN WOMEN’S HOCKEY TEAM DELIVER GOLD?

The Indian women’s hockey team seems to be on the rise. Sjoerd Marijne has been able to instill a sense of belonging in the team during his second stint and they showed it at the Women’s World Cup last month.

They gave the defending Asian Games champions a run for their money in their opening game of the tournament, which ended 2-2. Salima Tete will lead the team and looks to have a great mix of youth and experience in their ranks.

If India can repeat last month’s performance, it will end a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold for the women’s team.

For men, anything less than gold will be considered a failure. The Indian men chased gold last time in China and secured victory in the Asia Cup on home soil last year.

With none of the Asian teams in the top 10, this is a chance for the Indian men to shake off a poor performance at the World Cup and seal Olympic qualification.

INDIA ASIAN GAMES RECORD IN CRICKET AND HOCKEY

Men’s hockey has been part of the Asian Games since 1958, and at the start of the competition, India and Pakistan dominated. Women’s hockey was introduced in 1982 in New Delhi and India were the inaugural winners. Since then, however, they have not been able to get the gold medal back.

The men’s team won four gold, nine silver and three bronze medals during their time at the Asian Games. The women’s team has one gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

Cricket made its debut at the 2010 Asian Games and has featured in the program ever since, with the sole exception of the 2018 edition.

In 2022, India made their first bow and ended up winning both the gold medals.

INDIAN CRICKET SQUADS FOR ASIAN GAMES 2026

Men’s squad: 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, Jaspritepavani, YashVory Bumrah, Arsh V. Thakur.

Women’s Team: 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, Yandani Sharma, Yandani Sharma

INDIAN HOCKEY CONTACTS FOR THE 2026 ASIAN GAMES

MEN’S SET:

Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (c), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay Rana, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach

Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad

Forward: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek

WOMEN:

Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam

Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas

Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (c), Neha, Deepika Soreng

Forward: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung

INDIAN HOCKEY MEDALS AT THE ASIAN GAMES

MEN’S TEAM: 4 gold (1966, 1998, 2014, 2022), 9 silver (1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1994, 2002) 3 bronze (1986, 2011)

WOMEN’S TEAM: 1 gold (1982), 2 silver (1998, 2018), 4 bronze (1986, 2006, 2014, 2022)

INDIAN CRICKET MEDALS AT THE ASIAN GAMES

MEN’S TEAM: 1 gold (2022)

WOMEN’S TEAM: 1 gold (2022)

CRICKET SCHEDULE FOR ASIAN GAMES 2026

Men’s schedule:

  • September 28: India Vs. TBD, 2nd Quarter Final at 10:30 AM IST
  • October 1: 1st Semi Final at 5:30 AM IST
  • October 1: 2nd Semi Final at 10:30 AM IST
  • October 3: 3rd Place Playoff at 5:30 AM IST
  • October 3: Final at 10:30 am IST

Women’s schedule:

  • September 18: India Vs. Japan 4th Quarter Final at 10:30 AM IST
  • September 20: 1st Semi Final at 5:30 AM IST
  • September 20: 2nd Semi Final at 10:30 AM IST
  • September 22: 3rd Place Playoff at 5:30 AM IST
  • September 22: Final at 10:30 am IST

HOCKEY PROGRAM FOR THE 2026 ASIAN GAMES

men’s

  • September 20: India Vs. Indonesia at 11:30 IST
  • September 22: India vs Sri Lanka at 3:30 PM IST
  • September 24: Korea vs. India at 11:30 am IST
  • September 26: Japan vs. India at 1:30 PM IST
  • September 28: India Vs. Bangladesh at 15:30 IST
  • October 1: Semi Final 1 at 1:00 PM IST
  • October 1: Semi Final 2 at 3:30 PM IST
  • October 3: Bronze Match at 1:00 PM IST
  • October 3: Gold Medal Match at 3:30 PM IST

Women’s

  • September 20: India Vs. Uzbekistan at 7:30 IST
  • September 21: India Vs. Indonesia at 9:30 am IST
  • September 23: Thailand vs. India at 11:30 am IST
  • September 25: Japan vs. India at 7:30 am IST
  • September 27: India Vs. Singapore at 15:30 IST
  • September 30: Semi Final 1 at 1:00 PM IST
  • September 30: Semi Final 2 at 3:30 PM IST
  • October 2: Bronze Match at 1:00 PM IST
  • October 2: Gold Medal Match at 3:30 PM IST

– The end

Published on:

18 Sep 2026 04:00 IST