India, Sept. 11 -- Before the 2023 Asian Games, the previous edition from which Indian shooters returned with double-digit medals was two decades back, a haul of 14 from 2006 Doha (2018 Jakarta had only mixed team events).

Hangzhou, in that sense, was a huge success, and the shooting range a big catalyst that fired India to its 100-plus medal goal.

From that squad which delivered 22 medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze), only six are part of the rifle and pistol contingents for this Asian Games that will hope to match, if not better, the shooting heights of Hangzhou.

Alongside the been-there-done-that presence of Rudrankksh Patil, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Ashi Chouksey (all rifle), Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, Anish Bhanwala (all pistol)...