Yashveer Singh Replaces Injured Neeraj Chopra, Long-Distance Runner Abhishek Pal Dropped Following Doping Notice

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-04 16:48:00

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has officially announced a 77-member track and field squad for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, featuring major squad alterations. Star javelin thrower and Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra has been forced to withdraw from the continental showpiece due to an injury. Stepping up in his absence is Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Yashveer Singh, who will spearhead the Indian javelin contingent alongside Rohit Yadav.

Doping Notice and Injury Setbacks Shake Up the Squad

Announcing the final team during a press conference in Ludhiana, AFI President Bahadur Singh Saggu addressed key exclusions that have restructured India's medal hopes. Long-distance runner Abhishek Pal has been dropped from the squad after being slapped with a doping violation notice by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). Additionally, men's 110m hurdler Tejas Shirse was omitted from selection due to an injury sustained during his campaign at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Full 77-Member Indian Track and Field Squad Breakdown

Despite high-profile absentees, India has named a robust and balanced roster featuring top-tier athletes across sprinting, middle-distance, hurdles, jumping, throwing, and multi-event disciplines:

Men's Team: Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Vishal TK, Rajesh Ramesh, Jai Kumar, Manuth S, Dharamveer Chaudhary, Mohammad Ashfaq, Mohammad Afsal P, Krishna Kumar, Yunus Shah, Gulvir Singh, Avinash Sable (3000m Steeplechase), Yashasvi P, Santosh Tamil Arasan, M Sreeshankar, Shahnawaz Khan, Praveen Chitravel, Karthik Unnikrishnan, Dev Meena, Kuldeep Kumar, Sarvesh Anil Kushare, Adarsh Ram, Karanveer Singh, Tejinder Pal Toor (Shot Put), Yashveer Singh, Rohit Yadav (Javelin Throw), Damaneet Singh, Praveen Kumar, Tejaswin Shankar, Taufeeq N, Sawan Barwal, Kartik Karkera, Pranav Gaurav.

Women's Team: Harita Bhadra, Unnati Bolanda, Prachi, Kiran Pahal, Gautami Jayaraman, Pooja, Parul Chaudhary (Steeplechase/Long Distance), Seema, Ankita, Jyothi Yarraji, Nandini K, Vithya Ramaraj, Anu R, Ancy Sojan, Shaili Singh (Long Jump), Lasha Elangovan, Niharika Vashisht, Sindhushree G, Barnika Elangovan, Pooja, Supriya B, Manpreet Kaur, Krishna Jayasankar, Annu Rani (Javelin Throw), Seema, Sanya Yadav, Anushka Yadav, Tanya Chaudhary, Manju Rani, Priyanka Goswami, Sarbani Nanda, Nithya Gandhe, Sudeeksha Shivankar, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha S.S, Tamanna, Rashdeep Kaur, Ansa Babu, Neeru Pathak, Poovamma R, Saloni Nagar.

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