Indian Shooting Squad Gears Up for the ISSF World Cup in Munich

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup rolls into Munich this week, and India is sending a fairly sizeable squad – 22 shooters across pistol, rifle and shotgun disciplines. It’s a mix of familiar faces you’ve seen on the podium before, plus a handful of newcomers eager to make their mark.

Veterans like Manu Bhaker, who’s already a double‑medallist at the Commonwealth Games, will be leading the women’s pistol team. On the men’s side, reigning Asian Games champion Abhishek Verma will line up in the 10m air pistol event. Both have been vocal about the importance of staying calm under pressure – a reminder that shooting is as much mental as it is physical.

Beyond the big names, the roster includes promising youngsters such as 19‑year‑old Saurabh Chaudhary, who bagged gold at the junior world championships, and 21‑year‑old Aishwarya Narayanan, a rifle prodigy who’s been training in Germany for the past six months. Their inclusion signals the federation’s push to blend experience with fresh energy.

Coach Rahul Sharma, who’s been steering the team since 2020, said in a pre‑event interview, “Munich is a tough venue – the crowd is passionate, the range is world‑class. We’ve done our drills, we’ve fine‑tuned our equipment, and now it’s about translating that preparation into scores.” He added a chuckle, “And maybe drinking a bit of Bavarian beer after the matches won’t hurt either!”

The competition schedule is packed. Indian shooters will fire in the 10m air events on the first two days, followed by 25m rapid fire and 50m rifle bouts later in the week. The medal ceremony for the mixed team events is slated for Thursday, a category where India has historically performed well.

While the pressure is high, the team’s morale seems even higher. “We’re all here for each other,” said pistol shooter Anjum Moudgil. “If one of us makes a mistake, the rest of us step up. It’s a family vibe.” Such camaraderie could be the X‑factor that nudges them onto the podium.

India’s last appearance at a World Cup in 2021 netted a bronze in the women’s 25m pistol team. The aim this time is simple: add more metals, gain valuable world‑ranking points, and, of course, bring back a few stories to tell over a plate of schnitzel.

Fans back home will be following the action live on the ISSF streaming platform and through the national broadcaster’s sports channel. Social media buzz is already building, with hashtags like #ISSFMunich and #TeamIndiaShooting trending among the shooting community.

All in all, the Munich leg of the ISSF World Cup promises high‑octane competition, and India’s 22‑strong delegation is ready to fire away, hoping the results will be as crisp as the Bavarian air.