Several top names are set to miss the women’s 400m race at the upcoming Open 400m meet scheduled for March 21 at NCOE Trivandrum, as per the AFI bib list.
Key absentees include Rupal, Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kiran Pahal, and Neeru Pathak.
Despite the missing names, the field still features several prominent athletes. Jyothika Sri Dandi, the second-fastest Indian quarter-miler of 2024, returns after missing last season due to injury.
Also on the start list are national record holder Hima Das, last season’s fastest Indian quarter-miler Aishwarya Mishra, along with experienced runners Vithya Ramraj, Prachi, and Poovamma.
The competition holds added importance as it will play a key role in finalising India’s squad for the Invitational Relay in Chandigarh on March 28.
Currently, India’s women’s 4x400m relay team is ranked 25th in the World Relays standings, just outside the qualification zone. Their best time stands at 3:34.18, recorded at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025.
To break into the top 24 and secure qualification, the team will need to surpass Colombia’s benchmark of 3:33.29 — setting the stage for a high-stakes race in Trivandrum.