India send 30-strong shooting squad to Aichi-Nagoya for Asian Games

On September 19, 2026, India’s 30-member shooting contingent departed for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, to contest the Asian Games as the sport prepares to get underway.

Shooting was a major source of medals for India at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where the country collected a record 22 medals — seven golds, nine silvers and six bronzes — and the squad travelling to Japan carries high expectations across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines. The team is led by double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, former world champion Rudrankksh Patil and Esha Singh, while established competitors include Elavenil Valarivan, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Anish Bhanwala and Rahi Sarnobat. China is identified as a principal rival, and selectors acknowledge the competition will be decided by very fine margins.

Manu Bhaker will contest the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events and will also feature in mixed-team competitions, creating multiple individual and team chances for India. Bhaker has won two Olympic bronze medals and a World Championship medal, but an individual Asian Games podium finish has so far eluded her.

Esha Singh will also compete in the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol, forming part of a strong Indian pistol squad that includes veteran Rahi Sarnobat to complete the women's 25m pistol line-up. The combination of Bhaker, Esha and Rahi gives India experienced options across the pistol events.

Rudrankksh Patil will lead India’s rifle challenge in the men's 10m air rifle and 50m rifle three positions, with Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Niraj Kumar joining him in the 50m 3P event. In the women's 10m air rifle, Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa K Vinod have been selected, while Parth Mane and Elavenil pair up for the 10m air rifle mixed team event.

Paris Olympic medallist Swapnil Kusale is absent from the travelling squad, but he has backed the selected shooters, saying their selection itself "reflects the level they have reached through competitions and trials." The depth in rifle selections has been highlighted as important given the changes since Hangzhou.

India will make its first Asian Games appearance without coach Jaspal Rana following his death in June; Rana had won an Asian Games gold as an athlete before moving into coaching and played a role in Manu Bhaker’s career and her Paris Olympic medals. Speaking about Rana’s absence, former shooter and coach Vijay Kumar said: "It is very unfortunate. He was a good mentor and coach, and such quality is not there in everyone," and added, "We want Manu to perform well, but if her performance does not come up to the mark, everyone will take that angle that her coach is not there. But she has played in so many international competitions and is so mentally strong... she should accept the situation and move forward." Bhaker was one of India's flag-bearers at the opening ceremony and said she missed Rana greatly.

The shotgun contingent includes Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, Kynan Chenai, Maheshwari Chauhan, Manisha Keer and Neeru Dhanda, with Naruka and Mairaj headlining the men's skeet entries, Maheshwari leading the women's skeet, and Kynan experienced in the men's trap. Shotgun events also feature mixed-team competitions that provide additional medal opportunities for India.

With shooting beginning in Aichi-Nagoya, India will test its stated depth across rifle, pistol and shotgun against strong rivals such as China, knowing that the smallest margins are likely to determine podium positions at the Asian Games.