India’s campaign at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships will be led by one of its most consistent performers in the throws, as two-time Asian Indoor champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor has been named captain of a 17-member Indian contingent for the continental meet scheduled from February 6 to 8 in Tianjin, China.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced the squad on Thursday, with the team set to depart for China on February 3.
For Toor, the Asian Indoor Championships have been a familiar hunting ground. The 31-year-old shot putter from Punjab returns to the event as the defending champion, having claimed gold at the 11th edition in Tehran, Iran, with a best throw of 19.72 m. He had earlier topped the podium at the 10th Asian Indoor Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, underlining his dominance at the continental level indoors. Beyond the indoor circuit, Toor is also a proven performer on the biggest outdoor stages, having won two Asian Games gold medals and set the Indian national outdoor record of 21.77 m in Bhubaneswar in 2023.
The AFI’s decision to hand Toor the leadership role reflects both his experience and stature within the squad, particularly in a competition that often serves as an early-season benchmark for Asian athletes. The Asian Indoor Championships are the first major continental meet of the 2026 season, offering Indian athletes a valuable opportunity to assess form and competition readiness ahead of a long international calendar.
Shot put will be a key focus area for India in Tianjin, with promising youngster Samardeep Singh Gill also included in the squad. Samardeep has been steadily making a name for himself on the domestic circuit and will benefit from competing alongside and learning from a seasoned campaigner like Toor at a high-pressure international event.
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India’s men’s team features a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent across disciplines. Long jumper Shahnawaz Khan, who has shown consistency at national competitions, will begin his 2026 season at the Asian Indoors, while experienced triple jumper Praveen Chithravel adds depth to the horizontal jumps contingent. Chithravel, a regular on the Asian circuit, will be keen to use the meet to build momentum after a demanding 2025 season.
In the combined events, Tejaswin Shankar will represent India in the heptathlon. Shankar has been one of India’s most reliable multi-event athletes over the past few years and will look to translate his outdoor success into a strong indoor performance. Sprinter Manikanta Hoblidhar will compete in the men’s 60m, while Tejas Shirse has been named in the 60m hurdles, an event where India has seen gradual improvement in recent seasons. J Adrash Ram (high jump) and CV Anurag (long jump) complete the men’s contingent.
The women’s team is headlined by the country’s top short-distance specialists. National-level sprinters Nithya Gandhe and Abhinaya Rajarajan will compete in the 60m dash, an event that demands explosive speed and technical efficiency off the blocks. Moumita Mondal will have a particularly busy schedule, as she is entered in both the 60m hurdles and the women’s long jump, showcasing her versatility. Pragyan Prasanti Sahu will join Mondal in the hurdles, while Pooja has been selected in the high jump. Ancy Sojan, one of India’s leading long jumpers, will also feature, alongside Yogita in women’s shot put and KA Anamika in the pentathlon.
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While medal expectations will largely rest on established names like Toor, the Asian Indoor Championships also offer a critical exposure platform for younger athletes looking to transition from domestic success to consistent continental performances. With a compact yet competitive squad, India will aim not only for podium finishes but also for solid performances that set the tone for the 2026 athletics season.
Squad: Men: Manikanta Hoblidhar (60m), Tejas Shirse (60m hurdles), J Adrash Ram (high jump), CV Anurag and Shahnawaz Khan (Long jump), Praveen Chithravel (Triple jump), Samardeep Singh Gill, Tajinderpal Singh Toor (Shot put), and Tejaswin Shankar (Heptathlon)
Women: Nithya Gandhe, Abhinaya Rajarajan (60m), Moumita Mondal, Pragyan Prasanti Sahu (60m hurdles), Pooja (High jump), Ancy Sojan, Moumita Mondal (Long jump), Yogita (Shot put) and KA Anamika (Pentathlon)
