With the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championships set to return to Indian soil in 2026, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has unveiled a strong and carefully balanced senior squad for the continental showpiece in New Delhi.
The selections reflect both continuity and transition blending Olympic experience with a new generation of shooters who have forced their way into contention through consistency rather than reputation.
Scheduled to be one of the most important shooting events in the early phase of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, the 2026 Asian Championships will serve multiple purposes for India. Beyond the medals on offer, it will be a litmus test of depth, form management, and India’s ability to sustain dominance at the Asian level while narrowing the gap with traditional powerhouses like China and South Korea.
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The composition of the squad underlines the NRAI’s growing emphasis on objective selection metrics. Over the last two years, the federation has increasingly leaned on rolling averages, domestic trial performances, and international consistency rather than isolated peaks. The 2026 Asian Championships squad is a direct outcome of that approach.
Several established names continue to feature, but what stands out is the number of relatively young shooters who have cemented their place through repeated high-level performances. This is particularly visible in the pistol events, where India’s traditional reliance on a narrow core has given way to broader competition and internal depth.
Rifle events: depth remains India’s biggest strength
In the rifle discipline, India continues to enjoy enviable depth across both air rifle and 50m rifle 3 positions. The men’s air rifle contingent of Arjun Babuta, Rudrankksh Patil and Vishal Singh represents three shooters with proven ability to shoot 630-plus qualification scores under pressure.
Babuta’s consistency in finals situations over the last two seasons has made him a dependable performer in big events, while Patil remains one of the most naturally gifted shooters India has produced in the last decade. Vishal Singh’s inclusion signals the NRAI’s intent to broaden the competitive base rather than over-rely on a fixed core.
The women’s air rifle trio of Elavenil Valarivan, Meghana Sajjanar and Arya Rajesh Borse is equally formidable. Elavenil remains the anchor a shooter who has shown the ability to handle expectation and pressure while Borse and Sajjanar represent the next wave pushing for sustained international success.
In the 50m rifle 3P events, India’s choices underline stability. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar and Akhil Sheoran form a reliable men’s unit with extensive experience in multi-position shooting. On the women’s side, Anjum Moudgil, Ashi Chouksey and Aakriti Dahiya bring a blend of international pedigree and upward trajectory, particularly important in an event that demands patience and technical precision.
Pistol events: a clear generational shift
If the rifle selections speak of continuity, the pistol events highlight a clear generational churn. The men’s air pistol squad Samrat Rana, Sharvan Kumar and Varun Tomar reflects India’s renewed confidence in younger shooters who have delivered under pressure at senior trials and international outings.
In the women’s air pistol event, the presence of Manu Bhaker alongside Suruchi and Esha Singh tells a compelling story. Bhaker remains a central figure, not just for her medals but for her experience in managing finals. At the same time, Suruchi’s rise has been rapid and merit-based, while Esha continues to establish herself as one of India’s most reliable 25m and 10m performers.
The rapid fire and sports pistol selections further reinforce this trend. Anish, Adarsh Singh and Neeraj Kumar in men’s 25m rapid fire, along with Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker and Rhythm Sangwan in women’s 25m sports pistol, give India flexibility and tactical options across multiple match scenarios.
Mixed team events: strategic pairings
The mixed team combinations reveal thoughtful pairing rather than experimentation. In air rifle, the Babuta–Elavenil and Rudrankksh–Meghana pairings offer balance between stability and aggression. In air pistol, the Samrat–Suruchi and Sharvan–Manu combinations underline India’s intent to field pairs that are not just individually strong, but psychologically complementary.
With mixed team events increasingly playing a decisive role in medal tables, these combinations could prove crucial on home soil.
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Hosting the Asian Championships in New Delhi adds both opportunity and pressure. Familiarity with conditions can be an advantage, but it also sharpens expectations. This squad suggests that India is no longer building around isolated stars but around systems depth, internal competition, and sustained form.
The 2026 Asian Rifle/Pistol Championships will not only test India’s medal ambitions but also reveal how effectively the transition from Paris 2024 to Los Angeles 2028 is being managed. On paper, the foundations appear solid.
INDIA – TEAM DETAILS
Individual Events
Air Rifle Men: Arjun Babuta, Rudrankksh Patil, Vishal Singh
Air Rifle Women: Elavenil Valarivan, Meghana Sajjanar, Arya Rajesh Borse
50m Rifle 3 Positions Men: Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Niraj Kumar, Akhil Sheoran
50m Rifle 3 Positions Women: Anjum Moudgil, Ashi Chouksey, Aakriti Dahiya
Air Pistol Men: Samrat Rana, Sharvan Kumar, Varun Tomar
Air Pistol Women: Suruchi, Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh
25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men: Anish, Adarsh Singh, Neeraj Kumar
25m Sports Pistol Women: Esha Singh. Manu Bhaker, Rhythm Sangwan
Air Rifle Mixed Team: Arjun Babuta / Elavenil Valarivan & Rudrankksh Patil / Meghana Sajjanar
Air Pistol Mixed Team: Samrat Rana / Suruchi & Sharvan Kumar / Manu Bhaker
