Kapil Dev Discusses India's Golf Team Selection for Asian Games 2026
Insights from Kapil Dev on Golf Selection
New Delhi, June 8: Kapil Dev, the legendary cricketer and current president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), shared his thoughts on the selection process for India's golf team ahead of the Asian Games in Japan. He emphasized that the selection is primarily based on merit, specifically world rankings and points earned, rather than the preferences of selectors.
As reported by Olympics.com, the Indian golf team for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will be led by Olympians Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar. The squad consists of six players, evenly split between men and women, with selections determined by their global rankings.
In an interview, Kapil noted that while golf has seen significant growth in recent years, there is still much work to be done. He remarked, “Golf has advanced considerably over the last few years, but continuous effort is essential. Our players feel proud when they compete in the Olympics. The selection process is straightforward, relying solely on rankings and points accumulated over the year.”
He further explained that golfers participate in numerous tournaments throughout the year, similar to cricket, which helps in their preparation for major events like the Asian Games and the Olympics. “They have a busy schedule with many tours across India, and we are aiming for medals,” he added.
The golf competitions at the Asian Games 2026 are scheduled from September 30 to October 3 at the Kasugai Country Club East Course, featuring both individual and team events for men and women.
Aditi Ashok, a prominent figure in women's golf with five Ladies European Tour (LET) victories and three Olympic appearances, narrowly missed a medal at Tokyo 2020, finishing fourth. She also made history by winning India's first women's golf medal at the Asian Games, securing silver in Hangzhou 2023.
Diksha Dagar, a two-time Olympian and champion at the Deaflympics, returns to the Asian Games after a 22nd place finish in Jakarta 2018 and has two LET titles to her name. Pranavi Urs, who represented India in the previous Asian Games, finished 13th in the women's category. Yuvraj Sandhu enters the competition after an impressive 2025 season on the PGTI, where he clinched a record seven titles.
India has a rich history in golf at the Asian Games, having won a total of seven medals, including three golds and four silvers. The first gold medals were achieved at the 1982 New Delhi Games, with Lakshman Singh winning the men's individual title and the team event. Shiv Kapur added another gold in Busan 2002, while the men's teams secured silver in Doha 2006 and Guangzhou 2010. Aditi Ashok contributed the latest medal at Hangzhou 2023.
Asian Games 2026: India Golf Team - Men: Yuvraj Sandhu, Veer Ahlawat, Saptak Talwar. Women: Aditi Ashok, Diksha Dagar, Pranavi Urs.