Rishabh Pant rallies support for Indian athletes ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, urging fans to cheer for the contingent as India targets another strong medal-winning campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant has extended his support to the Indian contingent ahead of the 2026 Asian Games, urging fans across the country to stand behind the athletes and encourage them as they compete at the continental sporting event.
Pant shared a video message on Instagram in which he expressed his excitement about watching the Asian Games and called upon Indian supporters to cheer for the country’s athletes throughout the competition. The cricketer stressed that the athletes deserve continued support regardless of the results.
“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 the video.
The Asian Games are the largest multi-sport competition in Asia and are held once every four years under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The 2026 edition will bring together athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will mark the 20th edition of the continental showpiece. Japan will host the Asian Games for the third time, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. The event is set to provide athletes from across the continent with another major platform to compete for medals and Olympic qualification opportunities.
India will enter the competition looking to improve on its historic performance at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games. The Indian contingent won a record 107 medals in Hangzhou, including 28 gold medals, establishing one of the country’s strongest-ever campaigns at the continental event.
India will also defend titles in several disciplines. The country is the defending champion in both men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi, while the Indian men’s hockey team will compete as the reigning Asian Games champion.
Several prominent Indian athletes are expected to lead the country’s campaign across different sports. Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will spearhead India’s badminton challenge, while weightlifter Mirabai Chanu will be among the country’s leading representatives in weightlifting.
In shooting, double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will be one of India’s major names. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat will carry the country’s hopes on the mat, while boxer Lovlina Borgohain will look to make an impact in the boxing competition.
Athletics will also form an important part of India’s campaign, with more than 75 Indian track and field athletes expected to compete. Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary are among the athletes expected to feature prominently.
Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will enter the competition as a two-time defending Asian Games champion. His presence will add further experience to India’s athletics contingent.
The 2026 Asian Games will also offer Olympic quota opportunities in sports including archery, sailing, squash, surfing and tennis, adding significance to the competition for athletes targeting future international events.
Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at Paloma Mizuho Stadium from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm IST on Saturday.
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Pant’s message comes as India prepares for another major continental campaign, with the Indian athletes set to compete across a wide range of sporting disciplines in Aichi-Nagoya. His appeal highlights the importance of fan support as the contingent seeks to build on India’s record medal haul from Hangzhou.
