Suruchi Inder Singh Phogat continued to blaze her trail through the 2024–25 Indian shooting season with yet another commanding performance at the National shooting Trials 3 & 4 for Rifle & Pistol (Group A) in Bhopal.
The Haryana shooter stamped her dominance in the 10m Air Pistol Women’s T3 event, topping both the qualification and final rounds against a field packed with some of India’s finest talent.
On the men’s side, it was Samrat Rana who emerged victorious in a thrilling final shootout in the 10m Air Pistol Men’s T3 final, edging out Olympic star Saurabh Chaudhary with a dramatic final shot.
Suruchi Phogat: The Rise Continues
If there was any lingering doubt about Suruchi’s place among the elite in Indian pistol shooting, this performance settled it. The 23-year-old from Haryana delivered a nearly flawless showing, beginning with a qualification score of 585, which put her four points clear of her closest challenger, Esha Singh (581). Veteran shooters Rahi Sarnobat (580) and Manu Bhaker (578-20x) followed in a closely packed top bracket.
But it was in the final that Suruchi showcased her nerves of steel. Holding off a late charge by Manu, she kept her composure and finished with a score of 245.6, just 1.1 points ahead of the Olympic medallist. Rahi, a former World Champion, had to settle for third with 223.1.
This performance comes just weeks after Suruchi had equalled her own national record by shooting a sensational 588 in another trial. She has now put together a string of scores 588, 585, and finals around 244-245 that signal elite consistency in a highly competitive field.
With performances like these, Suruchi Phogat is no longer just a promising shooter. She is India’s top pistol shooter in current form, and her inclusion in the national squad was a formality. She, along with Manu Bhaker and Palak Gulia, will now lead India’s 10m Air Pistol women’s team into the upcoming international season.
Samrat Rana Outduels Saurabh in a Nail-Biter
In the men’s 10m Air Pistol event, all eyes were on Saurabh Chaudhary, who was making his return after missing out on the Munich World Cup squad. He did not disappoint but it was Samrat Rana who walked away with the crown.
In a tense final that went down to the wire, Samrat trailed Saurabh going into the last two shots. With everything on the line, he fired a clutch 10.5, while Saurabh could only manage a 9.6. That narrow edge gave Samrat the win by just 0.2 points, 241.7 to 241.5.
Aditya Malra, another bright name from the domestic circuit, took third with 217.8, continuing a strong season of his own.
The qualification round was equally competitive. Aakash Bharadwaj of the Navy topped with a score of 584, while Samrat, Rajan Tomar, and Saurabh all tied at 582, separated only by inner 10s. Close behind were Kamaljeet, Aditya Malra, Amanpreet Singh, and Vikash Kumar, all scoring between 580–581.
The men’s field has become increasingly crowded, but Samrat’s win combined with his strong showing in qualification suggests that he is ready to fight for a regular spot in India’s shooting lineup.
Mixed Team Rankings: Suruchi and Saurabh Lead
With the completion of Trials 3 & 4, the mixed team combinations for upcoming international assignments are also beginning to take shape. According to the latest national rankings:
- Saurabh Chaudhary and Suruchi Phogat now form the top-ranked mixed team.
- Aditya Malra and Palak Gulia make up the second team.
- Manu Bhaker, ranked third among women, finds herself outside the mixed team squad a big statement considering her stature in Indian shooting.
This also underlines the depth of India’s pistol program, especially with new names like Samrat and Aditya pushing veterans for spots at the top.
Missed Chances and Changing Guard
While the headlines belonged to Suruchi and Samrat, there were notable stories in the background too. Sarabjot Singh, who had been part of India’s gold medal-winning mixed teams in recent years, once again missed out on national selection. Despite flashes of potential, Sarabjot has been inconsistent in the trials, and his inability to finish strong has cost him a place in the current squad.
On the other hand, Anmol Jain, another familiar name from India’s junior setup, finds himself back in the reckoning. A former Junior World Cup gold medallist with Manu Bhaker in the mixed team event back in 2017-18, Anmol’s experience and recent form have earned him a deserved return.
The selection committee seems to be balancing experience with current form, and the final team list reflects that shift veterans are no longer automatic picks, and every spot must be earned.
With these trials complete, India’s pistol shooting contingent looks fresh, hungry, and highly competitive. The return of Saurabh Chaudhary adds firepower, while the rise of Suruchi Phogat has created a new benchmark in the women’s field.
Upcoming international events including the World Cups, Asian Championships, and Paris Olympic build-up competitions will now see this rejuvenated squad in action. For Suruchi, it’s a chance to assert herself on the global stage. For Samrat and Aditya, it’s an opportunity to transform domestic dominance into international success.
One thing is clear: India’s pistol shooting is entering a new chapter one where form, precision, and pressure-handling define who leads. And in that chapter, Suruchi Phogat and Samrat Rana are writing the first few pages.
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