Part 4 completes the sport-by-sport breakdown of India’s medal prospects. Tomorrow’s final installment will summarize all projections and estimate India’s expected overall medal tally. If you’ve enjoyed this series, do show some support — the conclusion promises to be the most exciting part.
Martial Arts (Wushu, Kurash & Ju-Jitsu — 28 Athletes)
These comparatively lesser-known disciplines are difficult to predict with precision. India’s strongest prospects lie in wushu, particularly in the lower Sanda weight categories. Medals are realistic, although gold may be difficult. Kurash also offers podium possibilities, while ju-jitsu appears less promising.
India’s best hopes rest with Roshabina Devi and Surya Pratap Singh, both bronze medalists in 2018. A similar or slightly improved performance is plausible.
Likely Gold: 0–1 | Likely Medals: 2–7Rowing (33 Athletes)
Rowing is one of India’s largest teams and traditionally a steady medal contributor. Rule changes allowing powerhouse nations to enter all events reduce India’s gold prospects. Even so, India remains competitive in most men’s categories and could medal in most men’s events, excluding single sculls.
Gold opportunities remain strongest in the men’s fours and the lightweight men’s double sculls. Women’s rowing is still developing, with limited medal chances this cycle.
Likely Gold: 0–1 | Likely Medals: 4–6Sports Climbing, Rugby Sevens & Soft Tennis
India faces a significant competitive gap in these disciplines, and podium finishes are unlikely in this cycle.
Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 0Sailing (16 Athletes)
With 14 medal events, sailing is a major discipline at these Games. India has shown encouraging recent progress, highlighted by strong performances at recent Asian championships.
The strongest prospects lie in dinghy classes (ILCA 4, ILCA 7 and mixed Nacra). Vishnu Saravanan in ILCA 7 is a genuine gold contender, while other sailors could deliver surprise podium finishes.
Likely Gold: 0–2 | Likely Medals: 3–8Sepak Takraw (16 Athletes)
A visually spectacular sport combining volleyball-style play with acrobatic leg skills, sepak takraw produced India’s first Asian Games medal in 2018. The men’s regu event again offers the best opportunity to repeat that success.
Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 0–2Squash (8 Athletes)
India enters squash with a balanced mix of experience and competitive depth. While the women’s squad faces a transitional phase, the men’s team remains one of India’s strongest medal prospects in racket sports. The men’s team event offers the best opportunity for a podium finish, given India’s consistency at the continental level.
Individually, experienced campaigners are capable of pushing deep into knockout rounds, especially in men’s singles and mixed doubles. Tactical discipline and fitness will be key factors in tight matches against traditional Asian powerhouses like Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Overall, squash remains a realistic multi-medal sport for India if the team performs to its potential.
Likely Gold: 0–2 | Likely Medals: 3–4Table Tennis (10 Athletes)
Indian table tennis has improved steadily over the past decade, supported by better international exposure and structured coaching programs. While Asia remains extremely competitive in this sport, India has narrowed the performance gap in doubles and team formats.
The strongest medal chances lie in doubles events, where coordination and tactical awareness can offset ranking differences. Team events could also provide outside podium opportunities if India delivers consistent performances across matches.
Although gold remains unlikely this cycle, India is well positioned to challenge for medals and continue its upward trajectory in Asian table tennis.
Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 0–2Tennis
Tennis has historically been a productive sport for India at multi-sport events. Experience in doubles formats gives India a competitive edge, particularly in high-pressure matches. The men’s doubles pairing represents a genuine gold medal opportunity, while mixed doubles provides another realistic podium pathway.
Success in tennis will depend heavily on match fitness and team chemistry, especially given the unpredictable nature of tournament draws. If India’s top players perform near their peak, tennis could once again deliver multiple medals.
Likely Gold: 0–2 | Likely Medals: 1–3Volleyball (28 Athletes)
Volleyball remains one of the most challenging team sports for India at the Asian level due to the dominance of established powerhouses such as Japan, Iran and China. While India has shown moments of competitiveness, sustaining high performance across a full tournament remains difficult.
The primary objective for the Indian team will be to gain valuable international experience and push for competitive match performances. A deep tournament run would require exceptional consistency and tactical execution.
Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 0Weightlifting (2 Athletes)
Despite fielding a small squad, India’s weightlifting contingent carries significant medal potential. Both lifters are proven performers at the international level and are capable of strong podium finishes.
However, the presence of dominant nations — particularly China — limits realistic gold medal opportunities. Precision in lifts and competition-day composure will be critical in securing medals.
Even with a limited team size, weightlifting remains an efficient medal opportunity for India.
Likely Gold: 0 | Likely Medals: 1–2Wrestling (18 Athletes)
Wrestling continues to be one of India’s traditional strengths at the Asian Games. Despite recent off-field disruptions affecting preparation cycles, India retains a strong core of elite wrestlers across freestyle and women’s divisions.
Several athletes enter the competition as serious medal contenders, particularly in the lighter freestyle categories and select women’s weight classes. Depth within the squad increases the probability of multiple podium finishes.
Gold medals will depend on peak performance against highly competitive opposition from Central Asian nations and Iran. If India’s top wrestlers execute their strategies effectively, wrestling could once again be a key contributor to the medal tally.
Likely Gold: 0–3 | Likely Medals: 2–5Shooting (33 Athletes)
Shooting could be India’s biggest medal contributor after athletics. Expanded team events and added competitions significantly increase medal opportunities. Combined with India’s improved squad depth, this creates strong potential for a major medal haul.
The expanded event structure and rising performance standards justify optimism for one of India’s strongest shooting campaigns yet.
Likely Gold: 4–9 | Likely Medals: 10–20Part 4 Verdict
Shooting, wrestling, sailing and rowing form the backbone of India’s medal hopes in this segment. Tomorrow’s final installment will combine all projections and estimate India’s expected total medal tally.