India has unveiled a balanced blend of experience and emerging talent for the upcoming Asian Games 2026, with star golfer Aditi Ashok and in-form professional Yuvraj Sandhu leading a six-member squad aiming to add to the country’s proud golfing legacy on the continental stage.
The Indian Golf Union (IGU) announced the team on Sunday, selecting three men’s and three women’s players for the competition, which will take place at the Kasugai Country Club East Course in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 30 to October 3. The squad has been chosen based on the IGU’s selection policy, with world rankings serving as the primary criterion for qualification.
Among the women, Aditi Ashok will once again carry India’s medal hopes after her impressive silver medal winning performance at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. The Bengaluru golfer remains India’s highest-ranked female player and one of the country’s most recognizable sporting figures on the international stage.
Currently ranked World No. 135, Aditi has enjoyed sustained success on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. The 28 year old narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, finishing fourth in a performance that brought unprecedented attention to golf in India. Since then, she has continued to establish herself among the elite players in women’s golf.
Joining Aditi in the women’s squad are Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs. Diksha, ranked World No. 221, has built an impressive career with multiple victories on the Ladies European Tour and remains one of India’s most consistent performers. Pranavi Urs, ranked World No. 270, earns her place after a series of strong performances on both domestic and international circuits, highlighting the growing depth of Indian women’s golf.
The men’s team will be led by Yuvraj Sandhu, currently India’s highest-ranked male golfer in the squad at World No. 451. Sandhu enjoyed a breakthrough year on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), where he emerged as one of the most dominant players on the circuit. He will be joined by Veer Ahlawat, ranked World No. 558, and Saptak Talwar, ranked World No. 576. Both players have demonstrated consistency on professional tours and are regarded among India’s most promising golfing talents. Their inclusion reflects the country’s emphasis on nurturing a new generation of players capable of competing at the highest level.
The IGU believes the selected squad possesses the quality required to challenge for medals in both the individual and team events. “We have got a supremely talented and efficient squad which has someone like Yuvraj Sandhu, who won seven times on the PGTI circuit last year. Then there are the likes of Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar who have won multiple times on the Ladies European Tour (LET). The entries were decided purely through world rankings. I am confident that the Indian team will finish on the podium this time,” Singh said in a release.
India enters the Asian Games with a rich history in golf, having won six medals in the sport since its introduction to the continental event. The country’s first major success came at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, when the team of Lakshman Singh, Rishi Narain, Amit Luthra and Rajeev Mohta secured the gold medal in the team competition. Lakshman Singh further enhanced the achievement by winning individual gold.
Two decades later, Shiv Kapur delivered another memorable moment by capturing the men’s individual gold medal at the 2002 Busan Asian Games. Indian golfers continued to shine in subsequent editions, winning team silver medals in Doha in 2006 and Guangzhou in 2010. The upcoming tournament in Japan presents another opportunity for India to build on that legacy. With experienced campaigners such as Aditi and Diksha alongside rising stars like Sandhu, Pranavi and Talwar, expectations are understandably high.
Golf at the Asian Games features both individual and team competitions, meaning consistency across all four rounds will be crucial. The Kasugai Country Club East Course is expected to provide a challenging test, demanding precision, course management and mental resilience from the participants.
As the countdown to Aichi-Nagoya 2026 continues, India’s golfers will be aiming not only to compete against Asia’s best but also to bring home the country’s first golf medal at the Asian Games since 2010. With a talented squad and a blend of experience and youth, the stage is set for another chapter in India’s golfing journey on the continental stage.
