Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Sports Ministry Defends Changes to India’s Asian Games Tennis Squad
India changed some players in its tennis team for the Asian Games.
These changes upset some people in sports.
Tennis star Rohan Bopanna was among those who criticized the decision.
The Sports Ministry defended its choice.
Ministry sources said rankings were used to choose the final team.
They said the same rule was used across all sports.
The ministry also said five players left out were not on the AITA shortlist.
This means the ministry says those players were not among the names officially considered for selection.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports defended changes to India’s Asian Games tennis squad.
The changes drew criticism from members of the sporting fraternity, including Rohan Bopanna.
Ministry sources said the final squad was selected strictly according to ranking criteria.
The ministry said these ranking criteria have been applied across all sports.
Sources said five excluded players were not part of the AITA shortlist.
- Who
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Rohan Bopanna, and players considered for India’s Asian Games tennis squad.
- What
- The ministry defended changes to India’s Asian Games tennis squad.
- Why
- Ministry sources said the final squad was selected according to ranking criteria applied across all sports, and that five excluded players were not part of the AITA shortlist.
Critics of the Squad Changes
Sports Ministry’s Position
Selection of the Asian Games team
Critics of the Squad Changes
Critics, including Rohan Bopanna, objected to changes made to India’s tennis squad.
Sports Ministry’s Position
The ministry said the final squad was chosen strictly according to ranking criteria applied across all sports.
Status of five excluded players
Critics of the Squad Changes
The exclusion of five players became part of the criticism surrounding the revised squad.
Sports Ministry’s Position
Ministry sources said the five players were not included in the AITA shortlist.
- Country
- India
- Competition
- Asian Games
- Sport
- Tennis
- Ministry
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Selection basis
- Ranking criteria
- Excluded players
- Five players were reportedly not part of the AITA shortlist
- Criticism
- The squad changes drew criticism from the sporting fraternity, including Rohan Bopanna