Dressage gold medallist Anush Agarwalla has moved the Delhi High Court challenging his exclusion from India's main squad for the upcoming Asian Games, after the Ad-Hoc Committee for Equestrian Federation of India named him only as a reserve despite his standing as India's No. 1-ranked dressage rider, Asia's No. 2, and World No. 14 in the FEI 1* Rankings. The 26-year-old Kolkata-born athlete also reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday, 19 June, urging a review of the selection decision.

What Agarwalla Has Filed

Through his management team, Agarwalla confirmed he has filed a writ petition against the Ad-Hoc Committee for Governance of Equestrian Federation of India and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) — routed through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — in the Delhi High Court. The petition seeks the quashing of the Selection List dated 16 June 2026 issued by the committee, and demands reconstitution of the Selection Committee in a free and transparent manner, ensuring no conflict of interest.

'The main grievance to seek the above reliefs is the arbitrary mode and manner in which the selection process has been carried out to oust Mr. Agarwalla, despite his exceptional credentials and standing in the sport,' his management team said in a statement on Friday.

Agarwalla's Credentials and His Case

Agarwalla, an Arjun Award winner, was part of the Indian team that claimed Dressage Team Gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and also won an Individual Bronze — making him the first Indian to win an individual dressage medal at the Asian Games. He subsequently became the first Indian dressage rider to qualify for and compete at the Paris Olympic Games.

In an Instagram story on Friday, Agarwalla said he has also achieved the highest PSG scores among all Indian athletes this year. 'Today, I stand as India's No. 1-ranked dressage rider, Asia's No. 2-ranked rider, and World No.14 in the FEI 1* Rankings. I have also achieved the highest PSG scores among all Indian athletes this year. That is why being named a reserve for the upcoming Asian Games comes as a surprise and raises important questions about the criteria being applied in athlete selection,' he wrote.

Appeal to PM Modi and Sports Ministry

Agarwalla formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Sports Authority of India to review the selection decision. He stressed that merit, transparency, and sporting excellence must remain central to athlete selection — not just for himself, but for all athletes representing the country.

'While my legal team and I explore legal remedies to make the system transparent and accountable not just for me but for all the athletes representing India to the best of their abilities, I respectfully request the concerned authorities to kindly review this decision,' he said, adding that his commitment to representing India remains 'unwavering.'

A Broader Pattern of Selection Disputes

Agarwalla's case is not isolated. On Thursday, 18 June, table tennis star Manika Batra also raised concerns over her exclusion from the main Asian Games squad by her federation, with her too placed among the reserves despite a proven international record. The back-to-back controversies involving two decorated Asian Games medallists within 48 hours have put the spotlight on selection processes across Indian sports federations ahead of the Games in Japan.

With the legal challenge now formally before the Delhi High Court and political intervention sought at the highest level, the Equestrian Federation's selection rationale will face close scrutiny in the days ahead.