India’s campaign at the World Athletics Relays 2026 in Gaborone, Botswana faced a significant setback due to a string of baton exchange errors that impacted their performance on May 3. The event, held at the Botswana National Stadium, was crucial as India aimed to secure spots for the 2027 World Championships and build momentum for the 2026 Asian Games.
Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay
The Indian men’s team started strong, with a smooth baton handoff from Rajveer Singh to Amanpreet Kaur. However, the later exchanges proved problematic. A key mishandling occurred during the baton pass from Arjun Mehta to anchor Vikram Singh, leading to the baton being dropped. Although the team made a quick recovery, they finished fifth in their heat with a time of 39.85 seconds, which was insufficient for automatic qualification.
Women’s 4×100 Meter Relay
The women’s team faced even greater challenges, dropping the baton twice in their heat. The final exchange between Simran Kaur and Anjali Devi happened outside the takeover zone, resulting in disqualification. Despite recording an official time of 44.20 seconds, the team was eliminated.
4×400 Meters Relays
- Men’s Team: They finished fourth in their heat with a season-best time of 3:05.12 but failed to reach the final.
- Women’s Team: Mirroring the men’s result, they just missed qualifying, though they executed clean baton passes without errors.
Coach and Athlete Reactions
Coach Ravi Shankar acknowledged the technical issues, emphasizing the need for urgent focus on baton exchanges ahead of the Asian Games. He stated, “Our athletes showed great speed and stamina, but the baton exchanges need urgent attention. We will focus intensively on these technical aspects ahead of the Asian Games.”
Athletes like Rajveer Singh and Simran Kaur remained optimistic. Simran remarked, “We have the talent and speed, but relays are about teamwork. We will come back stronger.”
Looking Ahead
The failure to qualify automatically for the 2027 World Championships means India must rely on ranking points from remaining competitions to secure their place. The performance at the World Athletics Relays highlighted the critical nature of precise teamwork in relay events.
Public and Fan Response
Supporters expressed mixed feelings on social media, showing disappointment over the baton mishaps while encouraging better relay training infrastructure in India for the future.
The World Athletics Relays continue to serve as an essential platform for nations aspiring to excel at the global level. India’s experience in Gaborone stands as a strong reminder of the importance of technical proficiency and teamwork in sprint relays.
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Baton Chaos Derails India’s World Athletics Relays Campaign in Gaborone