India is fielding a strong 655-member contingent at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. The athletes will take part in 40 different sporting disciplines. The largest contingent will be in athletics with 68. At the 2018 Jakarta Games, India had sent a contingent of 570 to compete in 36 sports.
However, some of India's top athletes will miss the coveted quadrennial event due to different reasons. Here are five such stars whose presence would have strengthened India's chances of podium finish.
Rani Rampal (Hockey):
Just a couple of days after Hockey India appointed her as the coach of the Indian U-17 women’s team, former captain Rani Rampal found herself out of the 34-strong probable list for the Asian Games in Hangzhou. An experienced campaigner, Rampal missed out on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and FIH Women's Hockey World Cup due to injury. Having found the back of the net 120 times for India, it needs to be seen if her teammates will miss her at Hangzhou.
Rani Rampal had hit back at the decision-makers for overlooking her for selection. Rani reportedly alleged that several players in the Asian Games squad were unfit.
“I had performance, fitness, everything, but somewhere, someone was not secure because of me, be it players or coaches. There might be some jealousy. I know I am not there in the Asian Games team, there are plenty of players in the squad who are unfit, and I don't want to take their names but still they are going for the Asian Games. Fine, it's the coach's choice, but hockey gave me a lot in life," media reports had quoted Rani Rampal as saying.
Vinesh Phogat (Wrestler):
In August, defending champion Vinesh Phogat confirmed that she would not be taking part in the Asian Games due to a knee injury. "Unfortunately, this injury has ruled out my participation now. I have informed all concerned authorities immediately so that the Reserve player can be sent to the Asian Games. I would like to request all the fans to continue supporting me so that I can continue make a strong comeback to the mat soon and prepare of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your support gives me a lot of strength," Vinesh had tweeted.
Vinesh Phogat, alongside Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh, was at the forefront of the protests at the Janta Mantar alleging former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh of sexual harassment of female grapplers. The protest demanded Singh's removal from the post.
An ad-hoc committee's decision to hand direct Asiad entries to Phogat and Punia also caused a row after the move was questioned by the parents of some promising young wrestlers. Angry wrestlers and their kin had reportedly threatened to boycott the trials in protest of the exemption.
Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics):
India's strict eligibility criteria cost the gymnast a spot in the contingent despite topping the trials. Her long absence meant she had no recent record to show that she was better than the 8th-placed athlete in her event at the 2018 Asian Games. India had made it mandatory that Asiad-aspirers must have such a performance in the last 12 months. This shut the door for Dipa, who stunned the country with her fourth-place finish at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Hima Das (Track & Field):
The Indian 4×400 m relay team comprising Hima Das, M.R. Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and V.K. Vismaya won the gold against all odds at the 2018 Asiad. Earlier in April, Hima Das, who also won the 400m race silver at the 2018 Jakarta Games, suffered a hamstring injury. This ruled the star out of India's plans for Hangzhou.
Amit Panghal: (Boxer):
A poor show at the selection trials cost Amit a chance to defend his gold medal at Hangzhou. When he was replaced by Deepka Bhoria in the seven-strong men's boxing unit, the World Boxing Championships silver medallist approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court with a petition. However, it was dismissed.