India’s esports campaign at the 20th Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, has officially ended without a medal. India sent a 15-member contingent across four medal events, eFootball, Puyo Puyo Champions, Pokémon UNITE and League of Legends, but none of the entries managed to reach the podium.
India had entered the Games hoping to secure its first official Asian Games esports medal. Tirth Mehta had won bronze in Hearthstone at Jakarta 2018, but esports was only a demonstration sport at that edition, meaning the medal was not included in the official tally. India also went without an esports medal when esports became a full medal sport at the previous Asian Games.
India’s eFootball Campaign Ends in Group Stage
India was represented by Danial Patel and Chinmay Sahoo in eFootball. The Indian side ultimately exited during the group stage.
One of the major talking points came from the Mongolia fixture. India was awarded a 0-0 forfeit victory, which gave the team points but did not provide a positive goal difference. Uzbekistan eventually progressed ahead of India on goal difference.
It meant India left the eFootball competition without a medal despite remaining competitive in the group.
Read More: Asian Games 2026 Esports Medal Table: How Many Medals Has India Won?
Paritosh Reaches Puyo Puyo Champions Quarterfinals
India’s Paritosh represented the country in Puyo Puyo Champions and produced one of India’s deeper runs in the esports programme.
He progressed from his group after competing against players from Mongolia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Thailand. Official results show victories over Mongolia and Singapore during his campaign.
Paritosh eventually reached the quarterfinals, where his campaign ended following a 0-5 defeat against South Korea’s Kang Dongshin.
India Exits Pokémon UNITE Without a Medal
India also competed in the Pokemon UNITE medal event but could not make it beyond the group stage.
The Indian team faced tough competition in its group. Official Asian Games results recorded defeats against South Korea and Japan, ending India’s chances of progressing further in the tournament.
With Pokémon UNITE eliminated, League of Legends became India’s final opportunity to win an esports medal at the Games.
League of Legends Was India’s Final Medal Hope
India’s League of Legends team, featuring players from S8UL Esports, was the country’s final esports entry still competing.
The six-member roster consisted of Akshaj “Kat Bot” Shenoy, Aakash “Infi” Shandilya, Sanindhya “Deadcorporal” Malik, Mihir “Lotus” Ranjan, Ahmed “Nero” Shahid and Rahul “Bob” Bisht.
India was placed in a difficult Group B alongside South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong. Only the top two teams from each four-team group progressed to the semifinals.
India eventually finished fourth with a 0-3 record, losing all three of its group-stage matches and missing out on the knockout stage.
One memorable moment nevertheless came against defending champion South Korea. Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, widely regarded as League of Legends’ greatest player, started against India as Korea won the game in around 19 minutes.
The defeat officially ended India’s final opportunity for an esports medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
India Ends Another Asian Games Without an Official Esports Medal
India therefore finishes its 2026 esports campaign with all four entries eliminated before reaching the medal positions.
| Game | India’s Result |
|---|---|
| eFootball | Group Stage |
| Puyo Puyo Champions | Quarterfinals |
| Pokémon UNITE | Group Stage |
| League of Legends | Group Stage |
India’s wait for its first official Asian Games esports medal continues. The country did win a Hearthstone bronze through Tirth Mehta at Jakarta 2018, but because esports was a demonstration event at that edition, it was not counted in the official Asian Games medal tally.
Esports has since become a full medal discipline, making the 2026 campaign another important opportunity for India to compete against Asia’s strongest esports nations. While the contingent leaves without a medal, appearances across four different titles, including a League of Legends match against defending champion South Korea, gave Indian players another opportunity to compete on the continental stage.
