New Delhi, Feb. 23: Banking, besides form and talent, on their familiarity with the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range and their fancied opponents' lack of the same, it will rather be, in a departure from the norm, three unheralded trios that will begin India's campaign in the season's first ISSF World Cup beginning here tomorrow.
For years, it has been the hugely successful duo of Abhinav Bindra and Gagan Narang that would, on most occasions, start India's campaign in major international tournaments.
Though the Olympic champion in 10-metre air rifle has dropped the gun after being on the verge of repeating history at the Rio Games last summer, Narang, a bronze medallist at the 2012 London edition, continues his quest to add to the laurels he has brought over the past many years.In this tournament, Narang has been able to book a berth only in the rifle prone event, and not in air rifle or rifle 3-position, pretty much in line with the new beginning that awaits Indian shooting.
On day one of competition, having earned their places on the back of some good performances in the selection trials, the triumvirate of Satyendra Singh, Ravi Kumar and Deepak Kumar will be up against a formidable field in the men's 10m air rifle event.
Before their male counterparts, the women's 10m air rifle team will be represented by Pooja Ghatkar, Meghana Sajjanar and Vinita Bharadwaj, with Olympian Apurvi Chandela in MQS (Minimum Qualification Score).
There will also be the trap women's event in which Rajeshwari Kumari, Seema Tomar and Manisha Kheer will be the Indian representatives. The experienced Shagun Chowdhary and Shreyashi Singh wil shoot in MQS.
