India’s Samrat Rana was crowned world champion in the men’s 10m air pistol at the 2025 ISSF World Championships. Eight months later he has failed to find a place in the Asian Games team.
A big surge has been witnessed in pistol events particularly in the 10m air pistol at the national level competitions in recent times. The quantity has also translated to quality as the core group of shooters are getting modern facilities, including international exposure.
India’s Samrat Rana was crowned champion in the men’s 10m air pistol at the 2025 ISSF World Championships held between November 6 to 18 in Cairo, Egypt. The promising pistol shooter was expected to carry that momentum forward to earn a berth for the Japan Asian Games starting September. Eight months later Samrat has failed to find a place in the national team. Paris Olympian Varun Tomar won a bronze in the world championships. Two air pistol shooters standing on the podium at the world championships last year was an amazing sight and showed the growth of the sport in the country. However, inconsistency has been the biggest issue in men’s air pistol this season. Even Paris Olympic Games bronze medallist Sarabjot Singh, who won in mixed team along with Manu, is missing from the Asian Games line up. Sarabjot is on his way to making a comeback.
The top shooters in men’s pistol were not able to perform consistently enough, as reflected in their rankings after the four leg domestic trials and international competitions that formed the basis of selection.
As per latest NRAI rankings Kedarling Balakrishna Uchaganve of Indian Army, Gaurav and Kamaljeet stood in top three positions in rankings and were selected in the men’s 10m air pistol event for the Asian Games. They have not played in an international competition this year and will be making their maiden appearances at world level at the ISSF World Cup in China.
The selectors decided to go by rankings as enough opportunities were given to the established names to make their case. It remains to be seen whether the new-look men’s 10m air pistol team can repeat their performance of domestic trials at a high-pressure stage of Asian Games.
It is also crucial for NRAI to dig deep and understand why top pistol shooters aren’t consistent enough, and whether any course correction is needed.
In contrast, the women’s 10m pistol shooters have been more consistent. Suruchi Singh, Esha Singh and Manu Bhaker will compete in the women’s 10m air pistol. Esha and Manu will also compete in the 25m pistol event. Experienced pistol shooter Rahi Sarnobat is back in the national squad and will be third member of the 25m squad.
Suruchi was in incredible form last year and won three world cup individual gold medals that took her to world No.1 position. She went on to win gold at ISSF World Cup Final.
Esha has been in outstanding form. Last year she won a world championships individual bronze in 25m pistol and a mixed team silver with Samrat. This year, Esha shot gold at the ISSF World Cup in Munich with a world record score in final of 25m pistol.
Manu has been giving steady performances. The team of Manu, Suruchi and Esha won world championships silver in 10m air pistol team event, behind the formidable Chinese. They will be expected to deliver at the Asian Games.
