It’s the off-season for most Indian athletes. But the joint relay training is still running with the women’s 4×100m relay camp in Trivandrum. The big question, however, remains – When will the men’s 4×100m joint relay training finally begin?

This joint relay training is not a small formality. It is the first big step towards preparing for the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from 19 September to 4 October 2026. And India’s sprinters have given enough reasons to start the relay training early, both in the 100m and the relay.

Back in September, right after the Open Nationals, it was announced that it would start immediately. But weeks passed, and nothing happened.

To understand what’s going on, NNIS Sports spoke to Chief Coach Radhakrishnan Nair. His answer was clear: “There will be no official camp, but the athletes will come together at Reliance either in Mumbai or Bhubaneswar. They will start training this month. There is no specific date yet, but it will happen in December.”

NNIS Sports also spoke to a former sprinter and asked him how much time is required for a team to succeed at the continental level. He said, “No matter how much time you give a relay team, it always feels less. The more time they get together, the better it is. Many teams, like Jamaica and the USA, begin their preparation very early. Even if the team starts training together in December, that should be enough. In fact, beginning in December would be perfect.”

HOW THE TEAM IS BEING SELECTED

The Athletics Federation of India has chosen 8 of the best men’s and women’s sprinters for the relay.

The criteria:

1. Top 2 timings of the year

2. Top 6 finishers from the National Open Athletics Championships

MEN’S TOP 6 FROM THE OPEN NATIONALS

Manikanta Hoblidhar – 10.19s

Pranav Gurav – 10.31s

Harsh Raut – 10.38s

Tamilarasu S – 10.41s

Amlan Borgohain – 10.43s

Ragul Kumar – 10.46s

Also, in the mix are:

Animesh Kujur (NR 10.18s)

Gurindervir Singh (10.20s), the former national record holder who missed most of the season due to injury but is now fully fit.

WHY IS THIS JOINT RELAY TRAINING CRUCIAL? 

Speed alone doesn’t win a 4×100m race.

The baton does. Relay training exists to build teamwork and avoid mistakes that cost medals.

Camps Help Athletes:

Fix handover marks

Make smooth, clean baton exchanges

Avoid dropped batons & zone violations

Build trust and rhythm between runners

And India has painful reminders of what happens when teamwork fails.

ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025, GUMI, INDIA DISQUALIFIED

Despite clocking 38.69s (NR) earlier this year and being top medal contenders, India’s relay team was disqualified.

The first exchange between Pranav Gurav and Ragul Kumar happened outside the takeover zone.

This broke World Athletics Rule 24.19:

“Baton exchange must occur within the designated takeover zone.”

The heartbreak was similar to the 2017 Asian Championships.

This is exactly why joint relay training is needed.

PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR: INDIA’S FASTEST SEASON EVER

2025 has been one of the best years in Indian sprinting both in relays and the 100m.

RELAY ACHIEVEMENTS

New National Record (38.69s)

Gurindervir, Animesh, Manikanta, Amlan

2nd Indian Open Relay Competition, April 2025 (Previous NR: 38.89s, CWG 2010)

Gold at UAE Grand Prix – 38.76s

The Same quartet delivered the 2nd-best timing of the season.

Bronze at World University Games – 38.89s

Team: Lalu Prasad Bhoi, Animesh, Manikanta, Dondapati Jayaram.

100M BREAKTHROUGHS

India saw a season of personal bests, national records, and thrilling battles:

Gurindervir Singh breaks the NR – 10.20s at the Indian Grand Prix 1 (NSSC)

Animesh Kujur breaks it again – 10.18s at the Dromia International, Greece

Pranav Gurav – stunner at Federation Cup – 10.27s defeated Animesh, Manikanta, Amlan, Gurindervir.

Manikanta Hoblidhar – 10.19s, Gold at Open Nationals, just 0.01s slower than Animesh’s NR.

Tamilarasu – 10.22s Gold at Inter State Championships, 5th-fastest time ever by an Indian.

This is the strongest generation of Indian sprinters in many years.

THE BOTTOM LINE

India finally has the raw speed to challenge Asia’s best. National records are falling, relay times are good, and the pool of talent is deeper than ever.

But speed means nothing without teamwork.

If India wants to fix its relay mistakes, protect its chances at the 2026 Asian Games, and finally turn fast times into big medals, the men’s 4×100m joint relay training needs to start. Now.