Indian athletics in 2025 has largely been associated with the global stature of javelin throwers like Neeraj Chopra and the steady rise of younger talents such as Sachin Yadav.
Yet, running parallel to these headline acts is a quieter, more structural transformation India’s relay teams, particularly in the 4x400m events, have firmly established themselves as Asia’s benchmark while inching closer to global relevance.
From 2023 onwards, Indian relay squads have shown visible gains in depth, execution, and consistency. The 2025 season, in particular, underlined a clear shift in ambition: from continental dominance to sustained international competitiveness.
The Backbone: India’s 4x400m Strength
India’s strongest relay discipline remains the 4x400m, across men’s, women’s, and mixed formats. The men’s 4x400m team clocked a season-best 3:03.67 at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, in May 2025. While that time placed them around 60th in the global season lists, their cumulative performances across events have kept their world ranking in the late teens to early twenties an indicator of consistency rather than one-off speed.
The mixed 4x400m relay has arguably been India’s most reliable global performer. The team defended its Asian title in Gumi with a gold medal-winning time of 3:18.12 and later improved its season-best to 3:14.81 in Guangzhou. This consistency has translated into a world ranking hovering around 22nd, keeping India competitive just outside the elite tier dominated by the United States and European powerhouses.
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The women’s 4x400m relay, meanwhile, delivered one of the most emotionally significant results of the year. By winning gold at the Asian Championships, the team ended a 12-year drought at the continental level. That victory was symbolic of a deeper resurgence, built on both experienced campaigners and a new generation of fearless runners.
Short Relays: Signs of a Sprint Revolution
Perhaps the most eye-catching development of 2025 came in the men’s 4x100m relay. Historically a weak event for India, the quartet produced a breakthrough by clocking 38.75 seconds at the Taiwan Athletics Open in June, winning gold and ranking 53rd in the world for the season. Just weeks earlier, they had gone even faster 38.69 seconds in Chandigarh breaking a 15-year-old national record.
This performance marked India’s second-fastest time ever and, more importantly, reflected smoother baton exchanges and improved top-end speed. While the women’s 4x100m team remains a work in progress, with a season-best of 43.86 placing them around 70th globally, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has clearly identified short relays as a future growth area.
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At the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Indian relay teams gained valuable exposure but fell short of finals across events. The men’s 4x400m winners dipped into the low 2:57s highlighting the gap India still needs to bridge. While there were no podium finishes, competing against the world’s fastest provided critical insights into race pace, baton precision, and execution under pressure.
As things stand, India remains Asia’s top relay nation but sits outside the global top 10–15 bracket. Closing that gap is now the central challenge.
Key Performers and Top Prospects
Women’s 4x400m – The “Golden Quartet”
This unit has emerged as India’s most complete relay team.
- Rupal Chaudhary has been the breakout star of 2025, anchoring relays and delivering strong individual performances. Her ability to sustain speed under fatigue has been invaluable.
- Subha Venkatesan, the trusted anchor, continues to be India’s go-to finisher with her explosive final 100m.
- Jisna Mathew brings experience and stability, particularly as a lead-off runner.
- Rajitha Kunja, a rising talent from Telangana, has seamlessly integrated into the core group.
Men’s 4x400m
Depth has been the defining feature of the men’s squad in 2025.
- Rajesh Ramesh returned strongly after injury, reaffirming his status as a relentless quarter-miler.
- Amoj Jacob remains indispensable due to his consistency and tactical awareness.
- Muhammed Ajmal offers flexibility across relay legs.
- Jay Kumar and Manu TS impressed at domestic meets, strengthening the rotation.
- Vishal TK has emerged as a key figure, especially in mixed relays, and is pushing for a permanent spot.
Mixed 4x400m
This event has become a strategic priority. The core group Santhosh KT, Rupal Chaudhary, Vishal TK, and Subha Venkatesan has delivered gold at the Asian level and shown steady improvement internationally.
Men’s 4x100m – The Record Breakers
The quartet of Amlan Borgohain, Animesh Kujur, Gurindervir Singh, and Manikanta Hoblidar has transformed India’s sprint relay outlook. Their national record and international gold in 2025 signal genuine medal potential at future Asian events.
Rankings Snapshot (2025 Season Top List)
- Men’s 4x100m: 38.69 – World Rank 25
- Women’s 4x100m: 43.86 – World Rank 25
- Men’s 4x400m: 3:03.67 – World Rank 27
- Women’s 4x400m: 3:32.64 – World Rank 26
- Mixed 4x400m: 3:14.81 – World Rank 22
What Lies Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
The roadmap ahead is packed with opportunity. The World Athletics Relays in Gaborone (May 2026) will be crucial for rankings and qualification momentum after India missed direct qualification in 2025. Later in the year, the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya are expected to be a major relay showcase, with India targeting multiple medals across 4x400m and 4x100m events.
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With improved baton exchanges, better team chemistry, and growing depth, India’s relay future looks promising. Continued Asian dominance seems likely, while World Championship finals are a realistic medium-term goal. An Olympic medal by Los Angeles 2028, particularly in the mixed 4x400m, is no longer a distant dream. As 2025 draws to a close, Indian relay athletics has clearly shifted gears from participation to podium contention.
The baton is being passed with confidence, speed, and belief, and the next few seasons could define a historic chapter for Indian track and field.
