A major change has been made in the Indian athletics team for the Asian Games to be held in Japan. Commonwealth Games bronze medalist javelin thrower Yashvir Singh has been included in the 77-member Indian team. He will replace injured star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. At the same time, long distance athlete Abhishek Pal and 110 meter hurdles player Tejas Shirse have also been dropped from the team.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Thursday announced the squad for the Asian Games 2026 in Ludhiana. The Asian Games is to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October. Changes in the team have been made due to reasons related to injury and doping case.
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Neeraj Chopra out due to injury
AFI President Bahadur Singh Saggu said that Neeraj Chopra is injured and will not be able to participate in the Asian Games. Yashveer Singh has been included in the team in his place. Yashveer had won a bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games. Let us tell you that Neeraj Chopra got injured during training, after which he had to end his 2026 season midway. Neeraj had told on his social media that shortly after making his season's best throw of 88.05 meters in Lausanne, the ligament in his ankle was torn.
Abhishek Pal out of team after doping notice
Long distance athlete Abhishek Pal has also been dropped from the Indian team. He was issued a notice by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) last month. Traces of a drug linked to female fertility were found in his doping sample. Lalit Bhanot, former secretary of AFI and currently head of the planning department of the federation, said that Abhishek's doping test has not come positive and the amount of substance found in his body was below the prescribed limit. However, NADA is investigating the matter. AFI decided to drop him from the team so as not to take any risk.
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Tejas Shirse also out of the team
110 meter hurdles player Tejas Shirse has also been dropped from the team. He was recently injured during the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow. AFI had asked for written information about his fitness status but this information has not been received yet.
Meanwhile, six new players have been included in the team for the Asian Games. These include 200 meter runner Harita Bhadra, 400 meter runner Kiran Pahal, pole vaulter Sindhushree ji, triple jumper Asha Elango, discus thrower Sanya Yadav and hammer thrower Praveen Kumar.
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AFI has also sought permission to field two-time Asian Games medalist Avinash Sable in the 5000 meters race. His participation in 3000 meter steeplechase is already decided. To participate in 5000 meters, he will have to achieve the qualifying mark in the Indian Athletics Series to be held in New Delhi on September 10. Apart from this, Gulveer Singh and Parul Chaudhary will participate in three events each in the Asian Games. Gulveer will compete in 10,000 meters, 5000 meters and 1500 meters, while Parul will compete in 3000 meters steeplechase, 5000 meters and 1500 meters.