New Delhi: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker headlines the 30-member Indian team for the Asian Games announced on Thursday. The selection committee picked the final team after an exhaustive selection process based on performances in domestic trials and international tournaments.
The big surprise was air pistol world champion Samrat Rana failing to make the team. Samrat has been inconsistent this season and is placed 8th in the ranking after the fourth selection trial in Dehradun last week.
The selected air pistol shooters will get their first exposure at the ISSF World Cup in China from July 20-29. The selectors went with only Anish Bhanwala — the world championships silver medallist in rapid fire pistol.
India will not be able to compete in the rapid fire team event that requires three shooters. Last time, India won a bronze in the rapid fire team event.
Overall, four shooters will compete in two disciplines: Manu Bhaker and world championships bronze medallist Esha Singh in pistol events and Vidarsa K Vinod and Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil in rifle events.
