India’s Remarkable Asian Games Cricket Story: Two Misses, Two Gold Medals

India's Asian Games Cricket Journey: From Walking Out to Defending Champions

Cricket first arrived at the Asian Games in 2010 (Guangzhou, T20 format), but India chose to sit it out. The BCCI cited a busy Test/ODI series vs NZ in Nov 2010 and said their top players weren't available. A proposed second-string team also fell through due to BCCI-IOA squad disputes. India's absence stung, especially with a purpose-built 6,532-seat stadium constructed in Guangzhou for a sport the Chinese public barely knew.

The pattern repeated in 2014 (Incheon). This time, the Champions League T20 clashed with the Games, and IPL-bound stars were tied up. Oddly, the women's team was left out too, despite no fixture clash. OCA pres Sheikh Ahmad AlFahad AlSabah publicly called out India for prioritising commercial interests over cricket's growth. Meanwhile, SL and Bangladesh entered both comps and Pakistan sent their women—leaving India as the lone Test-nation absent.

The turnaround arrived at Hangzhou 2023 (postponed from 2022 due to COVID). India debuted both teams: a strong second-string men's side under Ruturaj Gaikwad (while the senior squad chased the ODI WC) and a full-strength women's team led by Harmanpreet Kaur. Result? Two golds—one women's, one men's—capping a flawless debut.

Now heading to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games, India returns not as a reluctant no, but as defending champion in both events.

Dr. Diya_04 | Sports Medicine

Source: Cricketnmore