India’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Games reached a fever pitch on Thursday as the nation celebrated a surge of medal-winning performances while securing high-stakes final berths in cricket and hockey. With the overall tally now sitting at a formidable 65 medals—comprising 10 gold, 23 silver, and 32 bronze—the Indian contingent remains firmly entrenched in the top 10 of the standings, demonstrating remarkable versatility across the sporting spectrum.
Sailing and Wrestling Lead the Charge
The day began on a high note at the sailing venue, where Kerala cousins Prince Kurisinkal Noble and Manu Francis etched their names into the history books. Competing in the men’s skiff event, the duo clinched a hard-fought silver medal. Their consistency throughout the nine-race regatta—which included one race victory and three second-place finishes—secured their spot on the podium behind China. The success continued in the women’s skiff event, where Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma added to the celebration by securing a bronze medal.
On the wrestling mats, Nitesh Siwach provided a rare and significant highlight for the Indian contingent. Competing in the 97kg Greco-Roman category, Siwach battled his way to the final. Although he ultimately fell 0-4 to Japan’s Yuri Nakazato, his silver medal finish marks a notable milestone for India in a discipline where podium appearances are historically difficult to attain.
Heartbreak and Heroics in Squash and Archery
While there was joy, the squash courts provided a day of reflection for India’s medal hopes. Both the men’s and women’s teams were forced to settle for bronze after tough semifinal losses. The women’s squad—featuring Anahat Singh, Joshana Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, and Shameena Riaz—fell 1-2 to Hong Kong in a contest that came down to the wire. Anahat Singh, fresh off her singles silver, displayed immense heart but narrowly dropped her opening match in five sets. Despite a valiant effort from Tanvi Khanna to level the tie, a loss for veteran Joshana Chinappa ultimately dashed hopes of gold. The men’s team mirrored this fate, falling 1-2 to a formidable Malaysian side.
Archery provided a redemption arc for 20-year-old Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru. After losing a tight semifinal against South Korea’s Kim Jongho, the compound archer channeled his frustration into the bronze-medal match. Delivering a masterclass in precision, Ganesh landed 14 of his 15 arrows in the inner rings to defeat Vietnam’s Cong Duc Dang 149-144, adding to the gold he secured in the team event just 24 hours prior.
Cricket and Hockey Teams Power to Finals
In the team sports arena, the atmosphere was electric as both the men’s cricket and hockey sides punched their tickets to the gold medal matches. The T20 cricket team, led by Shreyas Iyer, dismantled Sri Lanka in a clinical display. Despite a challenging pitch, Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with a brilliant, unbeaten 80 off 46 balls to post 169/7. The bowlers then produced a stunning demolition job, skittling the Sri Lankan lineup for a mere 45 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel sharing four wickets between them. India now looks ahead to a high-voltage gold medal clash against arch-rivals Pakistan.
The men’s hockey team provided the day’s most dramatic theatre. Defending champions India looked to be cruising against Pakistan with a 3-0 lead by the 23rd minute, thanks to two clinical penalty corner strikes from captain Harmanpreet Singh and a field goal from Sukhjeet Singh. However, Pakistan mounted a stunning second-half comeback to equalize at 3-3 by the 49th minute. With the game teetering on the edge of a penalty shootout, Abhishek intercepted a desperate play in the final minute, deflecting the ball past goalkeeper Ali Raza to seal a 4-3 victory. India will face the winner of the South Korea versus Malaysia semifinal in the championship decider.
Golf and Sepaktakraw Keep the Momentum
Off the field, Pranavi Urs has thrust herself into serious contention for the women’s golf title. A stunning seven-under 63 moved her into second place, just two strokes behind Singapore’s Shannon Tan. Her flawless round, marked by seven birdies and no bogeys, has also helped elevate India into a provisional bronze-medal position in the women’s team event.
Meanwhile, in sepaktakraw, the Indian men’s quadrant team maintained their undefeated streak in Group A, beating Myanmar 2-1 to guarantee at least a bronze medal as they head into the semifinals on Friday.
A Bitter End for Tennis
The day was not without its setbacks. The Indian tennis campaign officially concluded without a medal for the first time since 1986. Sumit Nagal, the last remaining hope in the men’s singles draw, exited in the quarterfinals after a 4-6, 4-6 loss to China’s Yibing Wu. With early exits across judo, cycling, and shooting, the Indian delegation is now focused on converting their remaining momentum into a strong finish as the Games enter their final stages.
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