NAGOYA/NISSHIN — Day 9 of the Asian Games 2026 brought a mix of intense high stakes, fierce competition, and edge-of-the-seat drama for the Indian contingent. From crucial shooting qualification rounds and high-intensity squash matches to tactical battles in sailing and team sports, Indian athletes continued to sweat it out on the global stage.
Shooting: Mixed Fortunes for Indian Pistols
The shooting ranges witnessed intense action early in the morning session. In the women’s 25m pistol team final, the Indian trio consisting of Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Rahi Sarnobat finished in fifth place with a combined score of 1727-56x.
In the individual qualification for the same event, Esha Singh emerged as the lone bright spot for India, qualifying for the final by finishing eighth with 580-22x.
Squash Courts Heat Up
India's squash players showcased brilliant form in the team events.
Meanwhile, the women’s team kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over China in Pool C. After a tight opening match loss, Tanvi Khanna leveled the score with a straight-games win, before veteran Joshna Chinappa sealed the tie by defeating Liu Ziyi 3-0 (12-10, 11-4, 11-6).
Cricket and Other Disciplines
In men's T20 cricket, anticipation peaked for the high-voltage quarterfinal clash between India and Afghanistan, though weather and ground conditions kept officials and fans on high alert.
Stay tuned for real-time updates, scorecards, and comprehensive medal breakdowns as Day 9 unfolds across multiple venues in Japan.
