Quick answer: Wrestler Sushil Kumar left MTV Roadies X4 in 2016, before its journey began, to train for the Rio Olympics, and Prince Narula took his place. Sushil did not compete in Rio: the Wrestling Federation of India picked Narsingh Yadav for the 74 kg spot, and the Delhi High Court rejected Sushil’s plea for a selection trial on 6 June 2016.
Sushil Kumar and Roadies X4
Olympic wrestler Sushil Kumar was announced in 2016 as the fourth judge of MTV Roadies X4, the 13th season of the reality show. He was to join Rannvijay Singha, Karan Kundrra and Neha Dhupia, and like them he would have led his own gang of contestants through tasks and eliminations, as in the previous season. In Roadies X2 (2015), boxer Vijender Singh and actor Esha Deol had led gangs in the same way.
His arrival had been big news for the show’s fans. Sushil was by then the only Indian to have won two individual Olympic medals, bronze at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012, both in the 66 kg category, and a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2009).
Why he walked out of Roadies
When this article was first published in 2016, reports said Sushil had quit the show because of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. That turned out to be correct: he took part in the auditions, then left to concentrate on wrestling training before the journey stage. Prince Narula, the Roadies X2 winner, replaced him as a gang leader on the journey. The season was won by Balraj Singh Khehra from Karan Kundrra’s gang.
An earlier version of this article quoted Sushil on why he joined television. We could not find a reliable source for that quote, so it has been removed.
Did Sushil Kumar compete at the Rio 2016 Olympics?
No. The original article ended by hoping the then 32-year-old would bring home medals from Rio. That did not happen, because he was never selected.
- The quota went to Narsingh Yadav. India’s Olympic quota place in men’s freestyle 74 kg was won by Narsingh Yadav, who took bronze at the 2015 World Championships in Las Vegas. Sushil had moved up to 74 kg after London 2012 and missed those championships.
- Sushil asked for a trial. He asked the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to hold a selection trial between the two wrestlers. When the federation chose Narsingh, Sushil went to the Delhi High Court.
- The court said no. On 6 June 2016 the Delhi High Court dismissed his petition. The judge accepted that Sushil was a legendary wrestler but held that the federation’s view that Narsingh was the better choice at 74 kg was not unreasonable, and noted the risk of injury from a trial so close to the Games.
- India ended up with no 74 kg wrestler. Narsingh Yadav then failed two dope tests in June and July 2016. India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) cleared him, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed, and on 18 August 2016, the day before his first bout, the Court of Arbitration for Sport banned him for four years. No Indian wrestler competed in the event.
Sushil Kumar after 2016
Sushil returned to competition and won gold in the 74 kg category at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, his third Commonwealth Games gold after Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014. For his full sporting career, see our Sushil Kumar biography.
The Sagar Dhankar case
In May 2021 Sushil Kumar was arrested in a criminal case, and it is now the main reason his name is in the news. The facts below are limited to what courts and reliable news reports have recorded.
- The incident: On 4 May 2021 a brawl at Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium led to the death of Sagar Dhankar, a 23-year-old former junior national wrestling champion.
- Arrest: Delhi Police arrested Sushil Kumar on 23 May 2021.
- Charges: In October 2022 a Delhi trial court framed charges, including murder, criminal conspiracy and rioting, against Sushil Kumar and 17 other accused.
- Bail: The Delhi High Court granted him regular bail in March 2025. On 13 August 2025 the Supreme Court of India cancelled that bail, citing concerns about witnesses, and directed him to surrender. In August 2026 the Delhi High Court refused a fresh bail application, as reported by Bar and Bench and the Free Press Journal.
- Status: As of those August 2026 reports, the trial was still going on and he remained in custody. He has not been convicted, and the outcome is for the trial court to decide.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Sushil Kumar leave Roadies X4?
He left in 2016 to concentrate on training for the Rio Olympics. Prince Narula replaced him as a gang leader for the journey.
Who replaced Sushil Kumar in Roadies?
Prince Narula, winner of Roadies X2, took his place on the Roadies X4 journey. In the next season, Roadies Rising (2017), cricketer Harbhajan Singh joined the judges’ panel.
Why did Sushil Kumar not go to the Rio Olympics?
The Wrestling Federation of India picked Narsingh Yadav, who had won India’s 74 kg quota place, and the Delhi High Court rejected Sushil’s plea for a selection trial in June 2016.
How many Olympic medals has Sushil Kumar won?
Two: bronze at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012, both in the 66 kg freestyle category.
What is the current status of Sushil Kumar’s case?
As of August 2026, the murder trial over Sagar Dhankar’s death was continuing in a Delhi court and the Delhi High Court had refused him bail. He has not been convicted. Check current news for later developments.
Checked in October 2026 against Delhi High Court rulings as reported by LiveLaw and ESPN (2016), Court of Arbitration for Sport reporting (August 2016), MTV Roadies season records, and 2021-2026 reporting by Bar and Bench, the Free Press Journal, IANS and The Tribune.
