India’s athletics contingent for the Asian Games 2026 has undergone another round of changes just hours before the team is set to leave for Japan.
The Athletics Federation of India initially finalised a 79-member squad. The contingent has now been reduced to 74 athletes following withdrawals, injuries, fitness concerns and selection decisions.
The latest changes see Annu Rani, Shahnavaz Khan and Nithya Gandhe out of the squad, while Jyothi Yarraji, Praveen Chithravel and Sarvesh Kushare have been cleared to represent India.
Annu Rani Misses Out on Asian Games Defence
India’s women’s javelin throw national record holder Annu Rani has been left out after failing to achieve the qualifying standard of 57.62m.
Annu was initially included in the squad on the condition that she would breach the qualifying mark before the Asian Games.
However, after competing at the Continental Tour and Indian Series Final, her best throw stood at 57.50m.
That left her 12cm short of the required mark.
As a result, the reigning Asian Games champion will not defend her title in Japan.
Shahnavaz Khan Dropped After Injury
Another major omission is 18-year-old long jumper Shahnavaz Khan.
Shahnavaz had cleared the qualification mark at the Inter-State Championships with a personal best of 8.30m.
He later suffered an injury while competing at the World U20 Championships in Eugene, where he won a bronze medal.
The teenager returned at the Indian Series Final but could manage only 7.43m, finishing sixth.
The federation has now dropped him from the Asian Games squad.
This means Murali Sreeshankar will be India’s sole representative in the men’s long jump.
Nithya Gandhe Out of 4x100m Relay Squad
The women’s 4x100m relay squad has also undergone a change, with Nithya Gandhe dropped from the team.
Nithya finished ninth in the women’s 100m at the Indian Series Final in 11.93 seconds.
However, sources indicate that she had been returning from chickenpox. She contracted the illness during the preparatory camp in the Czech Republic.
She was unable to regain her form in time.
Harita and Unnathi, who are both part of India’s individual 200m squad and performed well in the 100m, are now set to be part of the mixed 4x100m relay combination.
Jyothi, Sarvesh and Praveen Cleared
Three athletes who missed the Indian Series Final have now been cleared to compete.
Jyothi Yarraji, who has reportedly been managing an injury picked up during training, has received clearance.
The injury is understood to not be serious. Jyothi has been undergoing rehabilitation while adjusting her training towards more endurance-based work.
Sarvesh Kushare, who had been dealing with niggles, has also been cleared.
Praveen Chithravel has been cleared as well.
The decisions follow the AFI’s directive asking Asian Games-bound athletes to appear at the Indian Series Final. Athletes who did not compete were asked to provide fitness certificates.
Asian Games Selection Process Remains in Flux
The latest changes come after an already turbulent selection process.
The athletics team was originally expected to be announced immediately after the Inter-State Championships in June.
Instead, the final squad was officially announced only on 3 September, just 10 days before the team’s departure.
Even after the official announcement, the squad continued to change.
India’s two-time Asian Games javelin champion Neeraj Chopra opted out because of an ankle injury. He was replaced by CWG 2026 bronze medallist Yashvir Singh.
Earlier, Tejas Shirse, India’s 110m hurdles national record holder, was ruled out after suffering two stress fractures in his left foot.
Abhishek Pal was also left out following an adverse analytical finding involving clomiphene.
India’s Athletics Contingent Now Has 74 Athletes
Following the latest changes, India’s athletics contingent for the Asian Games now stands at 74 athletes — 33 men and 41 women.
After weeks of changes, injuries and selection decisions, this is the team that will travel to Japan.