No Deepika Kumari or Atanu Das: India’s Asian Games Archery Selection Signals Major Transition

Indian archery is set for a significant generational shift after veteran stars Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das failed to make the recurve squads for the upcoming Asian Games.

Following the final selection trials conducted by the Archery Association of India, the recurve teams for the Asian Games and World Cups were finalized, with selectors opting for younger names and recent performers over established Olympic-era stalwarts. The decision marks one of the biggest selection shake-ups in Indian archery in recent years and signals a clear transition phase ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.

India’s Selected Recurve Teams

The selected recurve squads for the Asian Games are:

Recurve Men

1. Dhiraj Bommadevara

2. Neeraj Chauhan

3. Yashdeep Bhoge

Recurve Women

1. Kumkum Anil Mohod

2. Kirti Sharma

3. Ankita Bhakat

The omission of Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das immediately became the defining storyline of the trials, given both archers’ long-standing status within Indian archery.

Deepika Kumari’s Exit Reflects Changing Landscape

For over a decade, Deepika Kumari has been the face of Indian archery internationally. A former world No.1, multiple-time World Cup medallist, and one of India’s most recognizable women athletes, Deepika has carried Indian expectations through several Olympic cycles. However, recent seasons have exposed growing inconsistency, especially under high-pressure knockout conditions.

At the selection trials, Kumkum Anil Mohod topped the standings with 1991 points out of 2160, narrowly edging Deepika Kumari, who finished second with 1988 points. While the margin itself was extremely small, the overall selection process rewarded cumulative consistency and current form rather than reputation. Kirti Sharma and Ankita Bhakat also secured places through strong performances across the trial phases.

The selection panel’s decision indicates that Indian archery management is prioritizing long-term stability and future Olympic preparation rather than relying solely on established names.

The men’s recurve category saw an equally significant development with Atanu Das failing to secure selection. Atanu has been one of India’s most experienced international recurve archers, representing the country across multiple Olympic Games and Asian events. His technical control and experience in pressure situations made him a regular figure in India’s senior setup for years. Yet the trials reflected the rise of a younger core led by Dhiraj Bommadevara.

Dhiraj topped the men’s standings with 2046 points, ahead of Rohit Kumar, Atanu Das, Abhyuday Pakhale, and Neeraj Chauhan. Despite finishing third in the qualification phase, Atanu ultimately did not make the final Asian Games combination.

Instead, selectors backed Dhiraj, Neeraj Chauhan, and Yashdeep Bhoge as India’s preferred trio moving forward.

Among the selected archers, Dhiraj Bommadevara remains India’s most promising men’s recurve talent. At the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, Dhiraj delivered India’s best individual men’s recurve performance, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Kazakhstan’s Abdullin. He also played a key role in India’s silver-medal-winning men’s team campaign alongside Atanu Das and Tushar Shelke.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/archery-world-cup-india-women-s-recurve-team-clinch-gold-in-shanghai-defeat-china-in-thrilling-final

That Asian Games silver medal remains one of India’s strongest recent recurve team performances at the continental level. Dhiraj’s rise over the last two seasons has been driven by improved composure under knockout pressure an area where Indian recurve archery has historically struggled internationally.

The decisions reflect a broader strategic shift within Indian archery. The sport in India has often faced criticism for relying too heavily on experienced names even when younger archers were producing stronger domestic trial performances. This time, selectors appear to have committed fully to the merit-based trial structure.

There is also a larger context behind the changes. At the 2022 Asian Games, India’s recurve teams performed competitively in team events but continued to fall short individually against the dominant Korean and Chinese systems.

The men’s team won silver after defeating Bangladesh and Mongolia before losing to South Korea in the final. The women’s team secured bronze after defeating Thailand and Japan before losing to South Korea in the semifinals. However, India still lacked a deep individual medal run in recurve categories.

The latest selections suggest management believes a younger, technically evolving core may offer a better pathway toward future Olympic competitiveness.

While the selections represent a bold move, they also bring pressure. Archers like Kumkum Mohod, Kirti Sharma, Neeraj Chauhan, and Yashdeep Bhoge will now carry expectations at major continental events for the first time in their careers. Replacing icons like Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das is never straightforward, particularly in a sport where mental resilience often defines medal outcomes. At the same time, the emergence of newer names reflects the growing depth in India’s domestic archery structure.

Indian archery now enters a defining transition period. The Deepika-Atanu era shaped Indian recurve archery for more than a decade, producing World Cup medals, Olympic qualifications, and sustained global visibility. But with Los Angeles 2028 now becoming the long-term target, Indian selectors appear determined to build a new competitive core early. Whether this gamble succeeds will ultimately depend on how the younger archers perform when continental and Olympic pressure arrives.

For now, though, Indian archery has made one thing clear: reputation alone will no longer guarantee selection.