Manu Bhaker to Lead India at ISSF World Cup in Munich

India’s shooting spotlight is firmly on Manu Bhaker once again, as the young pistol prodigy leads the nation’s charge at the 2025 ISSF World Cup in Munich. This edition of the World Cup holds immense significance—not only as one of the top global events in shooting sports but also as a key qualification pathway for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bhaker, already a household name thanks to her Youth Olympic gold and multiple ISSF medals, has been in resurgent form this season, topping domestic trials and making a strong international return. Her selection as team leader is a nod to her experience, composure, and pedigree in high-stakes tournaments. The Indian shooting contingent heading to Munich is both young and immensely talented, featuring the likes of world champion Rudrankksh Patil (10m Air Rifle), fast-rising Sift Kaur Samra (50m Rifle 3 Positions), and Anish Bhanwala (25m Rapid Fire Pistol), who has steadily matured into one of the sport’s most consistent performers. Munich will test every technical and psychological muscle of this squad, with over 70 countries participating and Olympic quotas on the line. Unlike previous years, the Indian shooting team is arriving not just with hope, but with tactical clarity and intense preparation, guided by a revamped coaching staff and mental conditioning support.

The ISSF World Cup in Munich is historically one of the most competitive stops on the shooting calendar, and India’s ambitions this time are bold and clearly defined: bring home medals, claim Olympic quotas, and establish psychological dominance before the big stage in Paris. With Bhaker at the helm, India’s pistol team in particular looks re-energized. Her ability to thrive in both individual and mixed team formats adds flexibility and medal potential to the squad. This leadership role also marks a turning point in her career—moving from teenage sensation to mature leader capable of guiding teammates through pressure moments. Meanwhile, Rudrankksh Patil, still in his early 20s, carries the hopes of India’s rifle shooting program, especially after his world title. Samra and Bhanwala bring balance and depth to a squad that is no longer reliant on just a couple of names. The support ecosystem around the team has also evolved. The shooters have undergone focused training camps with sports psychologists, nutrition experts, and biomechanical analysts to ensure every aspect of performance is optimized. With many Indian shooters currently in the top 15 of their respective world rankings, expectations are sky-high—and rightly so. A successful outing in Munich could shift the narrative surrounding Indian shooting, from a “talented but underachieving” tag to one of ruthless global contenders. The shooters are not just competing for medals, but for redemption, pride, and the chance to script a new era for India on the Olympic shooting map.