Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Pawan Sehrawat and Manu Bhaker Lead India at Asian Games
The 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony was held in Japan on September 19.
Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat carried India’s flags.
Pawan was chosen at the last minute.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor was originally expected to join Bhaker, but a problem with his official ceremony clothes kept him away.
Pawan said he felt proud even though he had barely slept.
Bhaker said becoming a flagbearer was a heartwarming and special moment.
India’s men’s hockey team did not attend because it had a match the next morning.
Former hockey player PR Sreejesh and tennis star Sania Mirza discussed the ceremony on television.
Mirza said every athlete should experience an opening ceremony at least once.
Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat led India as flagbearers at the 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony.
Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced after a technical or logistical issue involving his official ceremonial kit.
Sehrawat said he was proud to receive the flag-bearing role at short notice despite staying awake through the night.
India’s men’s hockey team missed the ceremony because it was scheduled to play its first match the following morning.
PR Sreejesh and Sania Mirza commentated on the ceremony, with Mirza calling it a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Who
- Indian athletes Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat led the contingent; Tajinderpal Singh Toor and India’s men’s hockey team were absent.
- What
- The opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games took place, with Bhaker and Sehrawat serving as India’s flagbearers.
- When
- September 19, 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- The ceremony marked the start of the Asian Games and presented participating contingents, while some Indian athletes missed it because of kit-related problems or competition schedules.
- Event
- 2026 Asian Games opening ceremony
- Indian flagbearers
- Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat
- Original flagbearer plan
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor was initially expected to accompany Bhaker
- Reason for Toor’s absence
- A technical or logistical issue involving his official ceremonial kit
- Absent team
- India’s men’s hockey team
- Hockey schedule
- The team was due to play its first match the following morning
- Commentators
- PR Sreejesh and Sania Mirza
