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India faces a doping crisis as Pranay Sharma, Radhika, Shubham Kewat, Sneha Kolleri, Rajan Kumar, S Dhanalakshmi and Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi face bans and suspensions.
(Representative Photo)
India’s ongoing battle with doping violations has once again come into focus, with several prominent athletes across disciplines facing suspensions and sanctions from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and global bodies.
Among the latest to be provisionally suspended is karate star Pranay Sharma, a multiple Commonwealth medallist and former Karate 1 Series A gold medallist. He has been charged under NADA’s Article 2.3 for refusing to provide a urine sample during testing. Wrestler Radhika has also been suspended after testing positive for clenbuterol, a banned anabolic agent. Similar violations have been recorded for wrestlers Priyanka and Nitin, as well as volleyball player Shahbaj Ali.
Canoeist Shubham Kewat, who represented India at the 2023 Asian Games, tested positive for methyltestosterone. Meanwhile, quarter-miler Sneha Kolleri has been handed a three-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for Stanozolol, with her defence that her supplements were contaminated being rejected.
These cases add to a growing list of doping violations in Indian sport, cutting across athletics, wrestling, cricket, football, and more. In 2025 alone, multiple athletes were suspended, highlighting systemic concerns.
Athletes Suspended Due To Doping – Key Cases
- Pranay Sharma:A decorated karateka and international medallist, Sharma faces suspension after refusing to submit a urine sample. His case falls under “refusal” violations, raising concerns despite his elite track record and strong legacy in Indian karate.
- Radhika:An international-level wrestler, Radhika tested positive for clenbuterol. The substance is known for enhancing muscle growth, and her case adds to a troubling trend within Indian wrestling.
- Shubham Kewat:The Asian Games participant returned a positive test for methyltestosterone. Once a National Games gold medallist, his case reflects doping concerns even in less high-profile Olympic disciplines.
- Sneha Koller:A quarter-miler already under scrutiny, Kolleri received a three-year ban after testing positive for Stanozolol. Her claim of contaminated supplements was rejected, compounding her anti-doping violations.
- Rajan Kumar:One of the few Indian cricketers to fail a dope test, Kumar tested positive for three substances. His case is significant given his IPL selection before the violation surfaced.
- S Dhanalakshmi:A national-level sprinter, Dhanalakshmi faces an eight-year ban after a second doping offence. Her repeat violation triggered one of the harshest penalties under anti-doping rules.
- Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi:An experienced international footballer, Ratanbala’s second doping violation has resulted in a lengthy suspension, impacting both her career and Indian women’s football.
March 26, 2026, 12:18 IST
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