How Many Support Staff Can Indian Cricket Team Take to Asian Games 2026? Explained

The Indian cricket team is all set to take part in the Asian Games 2026, starting from September. The Indian cricket team Asian Games squad for both men's and women's teams have been announced with Shreyas Iyer and Harmanpreet Kaur the captains respectively.

Apart from the players, India men's squad will see a different coaching staff with VVS Laxman, one of the best Test batsmen of all time, to take charge. Since this is the Asian Games, there is a limit on the no. of coaching staff.

The game of cricket requires a big support staff as it is a team game. But the BCCI cannot send more than certain no. of coaching staff members. The Indian cricket team support staff for Asian Games 2026 has become a talking point ahead even before it starts.

How Many Support Staff Can India Take to Asian Games 2026?

There are certain Asian Games support staff rules. According to the rules, there should be 33% of the total no. of players in the squad. This is applicable to all the sports. The BCCI has picked a 15-member squad each for India men's and women's teams for the Asian Games 2026.

It means that Team India will have 30 players in total for the Asian Games 2026 across both categories in cricket. As a result, the total no. of coaching staff across both the categories should be not more than 10.

According to Amar Ujala, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has already picked 10 support staff members by combining both the categories while they have officially asked for 10 more.

The coaching staff plays a big role in the success of teams in the game of cricket. Apart from the coaches, the medical team and the physios also play a key part in a team's success. Hence, India, the last time Asian Games gold medallists and one of the best T20 teams, will hope to carry the required no. of support staff for the Asian Games.

India's Support Staff For Asian Games 2026

Former India batter VVS Laxman, the Head of Cricket at the NCA, has been appointed the head coach of the men's team for the upcoming Asian Games in the absence of Gautam Gambhir, who will be with the ODI team for the home series against West Indies.

Former India left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi will be the bowling coach of this side, Joshi is also the spin bowling coach at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. Hrishikesh Kanitkar will serve as the batting coach. Subhadeep Ghosh will also travel with the team as the fielding coach.

Meanwhile, Amol Muzumdar will remain the coach of India women's cricket team for Asian Games 2026. Avishkar Salvi and Munish Bali will be the bowling and fielding coaches respectively.