13 shooters stormed SAI headquarters in Delhi, demanding the return of chief coach J P Nautiyal and assistant Shivam Tyagi—both left out of the contingent. The outcry erupted just a week before the Games, with figures like Bhakti Sharma, a deaf shooter who broke down in the meeting, and Sumedha Pathak voicing doubts about competing without their mentor.
The final roster, approved late Monday, now lists 128 athletes—90 men and 38 women—alongside 91 officials, bringing the total to 219. Yet the omission of five badminton names and pending cycling exclusions still loom, as the court case over six recommended cyclists continues.
Ministry clearance arrived only after the badminton and table‑tennis teams were poised to leave for Nagoya, leaving kit distribution in limbo. Pramod Bhagat, the flag‑bearer, had to wear Sukant Kadam’s ceremonial kit because his own did not fit, a symptom of the rushed process that has left athletes scrambling for proper gear.
The cycling dispute, filed under Articles 14 and 21, will be heard again Tuesday with an interim decision expected. Meanwhile, table‑tennis players have just one day to rest after arrival before classification checks begin on 16 Oct, adding to the uncertainty. The next challenge for India is to solidify the squad and equip them before the Games kick off.