India is fielding a robust 655-member contingent on the Asian Video games 2023 in Hangzhou. The athletes will participate in 40 totally different sporting disciplines. The biggest contingent might be in athletics with 68. On the 2018 Jakarta Video games, India had despatched a contingent of 570 to compete in 36 sports activities.
Nonetheless, a few of India’s prime athletes will miss the coveted quadrennial occasion resulting from totally different causes. Listed below are 5 such stars whose presence would have strengthened India’s probabilities of podium end.
Rani Rampal (Hockey):
Simply a few days after Hockey India appointed her because the coach of the Indian U-17 girls’s workforce, former captain Rani Rampal discovered herself out of the 34-strong possible checklist for the Asian Video games in Hangzhou. An skilled campaigner, Rampal missed out on the Birmingham Commonwealth Video games and FIH Girls’s Hockey World Cup resulting from damage. Having discovered the again of the online 120 occasions for India, it must be seen if her teammates will miss her at Hangzhou.

Rani Rampal | PTI
Rani Rampal had hit again on the decision-makers for overlooking her for choice. Rani reportedly alleged that a number of gamers within the Asian Video games squad have been unfit.
“I had efficiency, health, every part, however someplace, somebody was not safe due to me, be it gamers or coaches. There could be some jealousy. I do know I’m not there within the Asian Video games workforce, there are many gamers within the squad who’re unfit, and I do not need to take their names however nonetheless they’re going for the Asian Video games. Fantastic, it is the coach’s alternative, however hockey gave me lots in life,” media stories had quoted Rani Rampal as saying.
Vinesh Phogat (Wrestler):
In August, defending champion Vinesh Phogat confirmed that she wouldn’t be collaborating within the Asian Video games resulting from a knee damage. “Sadly, this damage has dominated out my participation now. I’ve knowledgeable all involved authorities instantly in order that the Reserve participant could be despatched to the Asian Video games. I want to request all of the followers to proceed supporting me in order that I can proceed make a robust comeback to the mat quickly and put together of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Your assist offers me a number of energy,” Vinesh had tweeted.
Vinesh Phogat, alongside Bajrang Punia and Sakshee Malikkh, was on the forefront of the protests on the Janta Mantar alleging former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Saran Singh of sexual harassment of feminine grapplers. The protest demanded Singh’s elimination from the put up.
An ad-hoc committee’s determination at hand direct Asiad entries to Phogat and Punia additionally brought about a row after the transfer was questioned by the dad and mom of some promising younger wrestlers. Offended wrestlers and their kin had reportedly threatened to boycott the trials in protest of the exemption.
Dipa Karmakar (Gymnastics):

Dipa Karmakar | PTI
India’s strict eligibility standards value the gymnast a spot within the contingent regardless of topping the trials. Her lengthy absence meant she had no latest file to indicate that she was higher than the Eighth-placed athlete in her occasion on the 2018 Asian Video games. India had made it obligatory that Asiad-aspirers should have such a efficiency within the final 12 months. This shut the door for Dipa, who shocked the nation together with her fourth-place end on the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Hima Das (Monitor & Subject):
The Indian 4×400 m relay workforce comprising Hima Das, M.R. Poovamma, Sarita Gayakwad and V.Ok. Vismaya received the gold in opposition to all odds on the 2018 Asiad. Earlier in April, Hima Das, who additionally received the 400m race silver on the 2018 Jakarta Video games, suffered a hamstring damage. This dominated the star out of India’s plans for Hangzhou.
Amit Panghal: (Boxer):
A poor present on the choice trials value Amit an opportunity to defend his gold medal at Hangzhou. When he was changed by Deepka Bhoria within the seven-strong males’s boxing unit, the World Boxing Championships silver medallist approached the Punjab and Haryana Excessive Courtroom with a petition. Nonetheless, it was dismissed.