India’s pistol shooters have endured a disappointing Asian Games, failing to defend a single medal they won at the 2023 edition. None of the pistol marksmen or markswomen who stood on the podium three years ago could repeat the feat this time around.

The result is a bitter pill for a discipline that has been one of India’s strongest at the continental level. Indian pistol shooters have long been medal contenders at the Asian Games, and expectations were high that they would add to the tally in 2026.

What went wrong

Shooting is a sport of fine margins, where a single wayward shot can end medal dreams. The Indian pistol squad found the competition tougher this time, with rival nations raising their game and India’s shooters unable to find their best form in the decisive moments.

While the mixed team event brought gold through Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet, the individual and other team events saw India’s established stars fall short of the podium, underlining how unpredictable the sport can be at the highest level.

Lessons for the future

The setback will prompt some hard thinking within Indian shooting. Coaches and administrators will analyse what went wrong, from preparation and selection to handling pressure on the big stage.

With major championships always around the corner, the pistol squad will be keen to bounce back quickly. Indian shooting has too much talent and depth for one poor Games to define it, but the message from 2026 is clear: past medals guarantee nothing.

The contrast with the mixed team gold makes the disappointment sharper. While Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet delivered under pressure in the team event, the individual events exposed a gap between expectation and performance that the coaching staff will need to close. In a sport where mental strength matters as much as technique, regaining composure in finals will be the top priority as the squad resets for the next assignment.