Gagan Narang, Jitu Rai and Mehuli Ghosh failed to make it to the India squad for the Asian games shooting competition which commence in Indonesia on August 18. Despite the team not having the experience, There are many non renowned faces in the squad which makes the exclusion of these experienced players even more surprising.
London Olympic Silver medalist Vijay Kumar made a comeback to the squad after being out due to injuries and poor form. Though he achieved the feet in rapid fire, he will take part in standard pistol and center fire which are non Olympic events.
Apurvi Chandela and Ravi Kumar will feature in the air rifle mixed event, while Abhishek Verma and Manu Bhaker will compete in the air pistol mixed competition. The two-member men’s air rifle team is comprised of Ravi Kumar and Deepak Kumar whereas Sanjeev Rajput and Akhil Sheoran will feature in the three-position team.
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Narang has been picked for ISSF World Championships that follows the Asian games. The 35-year-old won Silver medal in 2010 Asian games in the air rifle event. Meanwhile, the multiple International medal winner Jitu Rai has failed to be get picked in any of the major events. He was the one who opened India’s account at Incheon with a gold medal on the first day in 2014.
The Asian games shooting squad is as follows –
Women: Air Pistol: Manu, Heena Sidhu; Sports Pistol: Rahi Sarnobat, Manu. Senior Shotgun: Men: Trap: Lakshay, Manavjit Singh Sandhu; Skeet: Sheeraz Sheikh, Angadwir Bajwa; Double trap: Ankur Mittal, Shradul Vihaan; Trap Mixed: Lakshay, Shreyasi Singh.
Women: 3 Positions: Anjum Moudgil, Gaayathri N; Air Rifle: Apurvi, Elavenil Valarivan.
Senior Pistol: Men: Air Pistol: Abhishek Verma, Saurabh Chaudhary;
Senior Rifle: Men: 3 Positions: Sanjeev Rajput, Akhil Sheoran; Air Rifle: Ravi Kumar, Deepak Kumar; 300m Standard Rifle: Harjinder Singh, Amit Kumar; Air Rifle Mixed: Ravi Kumar, Apurvi Chandela.
Women: Trap: Shreyasi Singh, Seema Tomar; Skeet: Ganemat Sekhon, Rashmmi Rathore; Double Trap: Shreyasi Singh, Varsha Varman.
Rapid Fire Pistol: Shivam Shukla, Anish; Air Pistol Mixed: Abhishek Verma, Manu Bhaker.