Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat will lead India alongside Manu Bhaker at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening ceremony after Tajinderpal Singh Toor was ruled out of the ceremonial role due to a kit-related issue.
Last-Minute Change in India’s Flag-Bearer
Nagoya, September 19, 2026: India has made a last-minute change to its flag-bearers for the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony, with kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat replacing shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) cited a technical issue for Toor’s inability to attend the opening ceremony. Reports said his official ceremonial kit had not reached Japan in time.
Pawan Sehrawat will now carry the Indian flag alongside shooter Manu Bhaker at the opening ceremony in Nagoya.
Why Was Tajinderpal Toor Replaced?
Toor was originally selected to lead the Indian contingent alongside Manu Bhaker. However, the shot-putter said his official kit was still in India and was expected to reach Nagoya Airport only around 3 pm on Saturday.
With limited time to collect the kit and reach the ceremony venue, Toor informed the IOA that he would not be able to attend the event.
Toor also said he was informed about his flag-bearer role only a day before the ceremony. He indicated that had he known earlier, his coach could potentially have collected the kit after arriving in Japan.
Pawan Sehrawat to Lead Indian Contingent
Pawan Sehrawat has now been given the responsibility of leading the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony.
The kabaddi star was part of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s kabaddi team at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. His selection gives him another prominent role at the continental sporting event.
Sehrawat will share the flag-bearing duties with Manu Bhaker, who remains India’s female flag-bearer.
Toor Will Still Compete at Asian Games
The change only affects the opening ceremony. Tajinderpal Singh Toor will continue to compete at the Asian Games and is preparing for the men’s shot-put event.
Toor is a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, having won the men’s shot-put title at the 2018 Jakarta Games and the 2022 Hangzhou Games. He will now target a third consecutive Asian Games gold medal.
The Indian athletics contingent has been training at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo as part of its acclimatisation programme and is scheduled to travel to Nagoya ahead of the athletics events.
Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat to Carry Tricolour
With the change, Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat will lead the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The opening ceremony is being held in Nagoya, Japan, on September 19, marking the formal beginning of the Games.
For Toor, the last-minute change means missing the ceremonial role, but his sporting campaign remains unaffected as he continues preparations for his shot-put competition.
Source: Babushahi Network / Indian Olympic Association / PTI
