India’s experienced kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat was named as the country’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games after shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was forced to withdraw due to a delay in receiving his official team kit.
Toor, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, had originally been selected to share flag-bearing duties with two-time Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker during Saturday’s ceremony. However, with his kit yet to arrive, the 30-year-old athlete informed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) that he would be unable to attend the event.
“I am told that my kit will arrive at 3pm at the (Nagoya) airport. Reaching the opening ceremony venue after collecting my kit from the airport on time will be very difficult. So, I have told the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) that I am not coming for the opening ceremony,” Toor told PTI.
“My kit is lying in India. Nobody in the athletics team has got their kits so far,” he added.
The responsibility was subsequently handed to Sehrawat, who partnered Bhaker as India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony.
Asian Games 2026 Officially Begin in Aichi-Nagoya
The 20th Asian Games officially opened on September 19 at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The ceremony carried the theme “Harmonic Heart Beat,” symbolising unity among athletes from across Asia. Nagoya-born filmmaker Yukihiko Tsutsumi served as creative director, having also overseen the Aichi-Nagoya segment during the closing ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games.
“There Can Be No Prouder Moment”
For Sehrawat, being chosen to carry the Indian flag surpassed every personal achievement in his career.
The veteran raider is competing in his second Asian Games after helping India win gold in Hangzhou. While he captained the side in the previous edition, Sunil Kumar now leads the national team.
Sehrawat made it clear that the captaincy change has not affected his mindset.
“I’m feeling very proud that this is my second Asian Games and I got the chance to be the national flag-bearer,” Sehrawat told Olympics.com. “There can be no prouder moment than this for me.”
Although he no longer captains the side, Sehrawat believes leadership extends beyond wearing the armband.
“This decision isn’t up to the athletes; it’s made by the federation, the selection committee and the coaches,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter whether I am the captain or Sunil is. It doesn’t matter at all. Whoever does the best for the team and performs… we only care about winning gold.”
Sunil Kumar Welcomes Senior Experience
Current captain Sunil Kumar echoed those sentiments, emphasising that every player’s opinion carries value regardless of leadership roles.
“I am the captain, but if someone else gives good advice, we will listen to them,” Sunil said.
“If Pawan gives good advice, we’ll listen to Pawan; if Ayan gives good advice, we’ll listen to him too.”
“Everyone is a player, there is unity, and whoever gives good advice, we listen to them.”
“There Are No Second Chances”
While Sunil has captained extensively in the Pro Kabaddi League, he believes leading India carries a different level of responsibility.
“In PKL, if we lose a match, we get another chance. But here, there are no second chances,” he said.
“Here, the hopes of the entire country rest on the whole team, especially on the captain. So AKFI and all the fans have placed so much trust in me, so the responsibility is to win a gold medal for everyone.”
When asked whether those expectations created pressure, Sunil dismissed the suggestion.
“No, it’s not pressure. It’s a responsibility.”
The captain also praised young raiders Ayan Lohchab and Devank Dalal, highlighting the difficulty of earning a place in India’s national squad.
“Kabaddi is played so widely in India, there are so many players, and making it into a 12-player national squad is a huge deal,” Sunil said.
“Everyone is great, especially Ayan, who is doing really well. And Devank Dalal – both of them are performing exceptionally well.”
Sehrawat Driven by Passion for Kabaddi
Despite years at the highest level, Sehrawat says his enthusiasm for kabaddi remains unchanged.
“There is energy in it,” he said. “When I step onto the mat, I feel very energetic.”
“I played badminton, but I don’t feel that vibe… The real feel I get comes from this sport. Energy – personally for me, there’s a kick in it.”
Looking back on his journey, the star raider offered simple advice to his younger self.
“Whatever he’s doing, keep doing it,” he said. “Success will come.”
Gold Medal Remains India’s Only Goal
India’s men’s kabaddi team enters the 2026 Asian Games aiming to continue the country’s remarkable record in the competition. Across the men’s and women’s events, India has won 11 gold medals, along with one silver and one bronze.
The squad prepared for the Games during a national training camp at the SAI Sports Training Centre in Gandhinagar from September 5 to September 15.
Sehrawat believes India’s long-standing success has created expectations that motivate rather than burden the players.
He explained that expectations are only placed on teams capable of delivering, adding that kabaddi has earned its reputation as a gold-medal sport. According to Sehrawat, being viewed as favourites is a matter of pride, and that expectation becomes a source of motivation rather than pressure.
The experienced raider also expressed confidence in the chemistry within the squad after weeks of preparation together.
Sehrawat said the players have trained extensively, built strong trust in one another and developed into a balanced unit. He added that every member of the 12-player squad shares the same objective, with winning the gold medal serving as the common goal that unites the entire team.
