Asian Games: India’s Likely Performance

In Part 3 of this series, we examine India’s medal prospects in hockey, kabaddi, golf, mind sports and several challenging disciplines. While some sports offer realistic gold medal opportunities, others remain long-term development areas.

Hockey (36 Athletes)

Hockey has historically produced mixed results for India at the Asian Games. Despite being one of Asia’s strongest hockey nations, performances have often fallen short of expectations.

The current Indian men’s and women’s teams are far more stable and competitive. India is presently the highest-ranked Asian country in both categories. After a modest return in 2018, expectations are significantly higher this time.

Likely Gold: 1–2 | Likely Medals: 2

Football, Judo, Handball, Gymnastics & Pentathlon

These sports collectively present a difficult outlook for India. Football and judo have not produced recent Asian Games medals, handball has never yielded an Indian medal, and pentathlon remains an emerging discipline. Gymnastics progress has slowed due to administrative setbacks.

Given current competitive standards, podium finishes in these events appear unlikely.

Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 0

Golf (7 Athletes)

Golf rankings suggest limited chances, but the Asian Games often see several elite international golfers skip the event, opening opportunities.

With India’s leading golfers in strong form, especially on the women’s side, an outside medal chance exists through individual or team competition.

Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 0–1

Kabaddi (24 Athletes)

Kabaddi remains one of India’s strongest Asian Games sports. The shock defeats in 2018, when India lost both men’s and women’s titles to Iran, are widely seen as an exception rather than a trend.

With renewed preparation and focus, India is well positioned to reclaim dominance in both categories.

Likely Gold: 1–2 | Likely Medals: 2

Mind Sports (43 Entries)

Mind sports include chess, bridge and esports. India has strong credentials in chess and bridge, with realistic gold medal chances in rapid and team chess events, as well as competitive prospects in bridge.

Esports remains highly competitive, dominated by East Asian nations, but India could still secure surprise medals.

Likely Gold: 1–3 | Likely Medals: 5–8

Roller Skating (14 Athletes)

Roller skating is not always a permanent Asian Games fixture, but India has previously won medals when it appears. This edition emphasizes speed events, where specialized nations hold an competitive edge.

India is capable of reaching the podium, although a gold medal appears unlikely.

Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 1–2