Olympians Naruka, Raiza, Mairaj lead India's 20-shooter squad at Almaty World Cup
Synopsis
India's shotgun stars return to the range in Almaty with redemption on their minds. After a blank in Morocco, Naruka, Raiza, and Mairaj headline a restructured 20-member squad targeting Rome's World Cup Final berth. Gold-medal routes are open across skeet and trap; the question is execution.
Key Takeaways
Olympians Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Raiza Dhillon, and Mairaj Ahmad Khan lead India's 20-member squad at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan , starting 5 May 2026 .
Asian champion Naruka returns to men's skeet after skipping the Morocco leg; Raiza anchors women's skeet.
Men's trap roster reshuffled: Vivaan Kapoor replaces Bhowneesh Mendiratta, Prithviraj Tondaiman, and Kynan Chenai .
Gold medallists in each event secure qualification for the ISSF World Cup Final in Rome, December 2026 .
Finals stream live on Olympics.com ; no Indian TV broadcast.
Women's skeet finals: Tuesday, 4:00 PM IST ; men's skeet: 7:30 PM IST .
India will field Olympians Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Raiza Dhillon, and Mairaj Ahmad Khan as its flagship trio at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup 2026 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, beginning Sunday, 5 May. The 20-member Indian contingent, including eight competitors competing for Ranking Points Only (RPO), arrives seeking redemption after returning empty-handed from the opening leg in Tangier, Morocco.
Squad composition and key changes
The Almaty leg represents the second of four Shotgun World Cups scheduled for 2026 and draws 284 shooters from 42 National Olympic Committees. India's lineup reflects tactical adjustments: Asian champion Naruka returns to men's skeet after sitting out Morocco, partnering seasoned Olympian Mairaj in that discipline. Raiza anchors the women's skeet unit. Notably, the men's trap roster has been reshuffled, with Bhowneesh Mendiratta, Prithviraj Tondaiman, and Kynan Chenai excluded; Vivaan Kapoor now leads India's trap challenge.
Qualification stakes and Rome berth
Gold medallists in each event automatically secure a spot at the ISSF World Cup Final, slated for December 2026 in Rome, Italy. This pathway is critical for shooters aiming to consolidate their Olympic qualification credentials ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Women's contingent strengthened
India's women shooters field competitive lineups across trap and skeet. Pragati Dubey, Neeru, and Manisha Keer represent the trap discipline, while Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Ganemat Sekhon, and Raiza contest skeet. A mixed team trap entry—Rizvi, Pragati, Kapoor, and Neeru—adds another medal opportunity.
Viewing and schedule
Finals will stream live on Olympics.com starting Tuesday, 5 May (women's skeet, 4:00 PM IST; men's skeet, 7:30 PM IST). Trap events follow on Saturday, 9 May and Sunday, 10 May. The event will not air on Indian television channels.
Path forward
Naruka's return and the squad's depth suggest India is targeting multiple medals to offset Morocco's disappointment and build momentum toward the Rome final.
Point of View
But the reshuffled trap roster signals instability rather than depth. Without medals in Almaty, the narrative shifts from redemption to rebuilding, and that matters for Olympic momentum.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the key Indian shooters at the ISSF Almaty World Cup?
Anantjeet Singh Naruka (Asian champion, men's skeet), Raiza Dhillon (women's skeet), and Mairaj Ahmad Khan (Olympian, men's skeet) headline the 20-member Indian squad . Vivaan Kapoor leads men's trap after roster changes.
Why did India perform poorly at the Morocco leg?
India returned medal-less from the opening Shotgun World Cup in Tangier, Morocco . The Almaty squad reflects tactical adjustments, including the return of Naruka and a reshuffle of the men's trap team.
What is the significance of winning gold at Almaty?
Gold medallists in each event automatically qualify for the ISSF World Cup Final in Rome, Italy, in December 2026 . This pathway is critical for building Olympic credentials ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
How can I watch the ISSF Almaty World Cup finals?
Finals will stream live on Olympics.com . The event will not be telecast on Indian television. Women's skeet finals are on Tuesday, 5 May at 4:00 PM IST ; men's skeet at 7:30 PM IST . Trap events follow on 9-10 May .
Which shooters have been dropped from the Morocco squad?
Bhowneesh Mendiratta, Prithviraj Tondaiman, and Kynan Chenai are not part of the Almaty men's trap roster, replaced by Vivaan Kapoor and others.
