As the Indian sportspersons gear up to rake in a massive gold haul, here is a look at those who could be at the forefront:
ATHLETICS
Inderjeet Singh: The Asian shot put champion is the biggest draw in athletics. The big-built Punjabi, who won the gold at the Wuhan meet with a championship record throw of 20.41 metres, towers heads and shoulders from the rest of the pack. He should walk away with the gold with even a half-decent effort.
MR Poovamma: The 400M bronze medallist and gold-medallist in the 4x400M relay at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, the 25-year-old is another raging favourite in her pet event. By the looks of it, she should win with plenty to spare.
SQUASH
Saurav Ghosal: Not being an Olympic sport, squash has sent a full strength squad and leading the challenge is Ghosal. The first Indian to win the coveted British Junior Open U-19 title and the first from the country to reach the quarterfinals of the World Championship, Ghosal is also the reigning Asian Games silver medallist.
Joshna Chinnappa: Having reached a career-high ranking of World No 13, Joshna has been on a roll over the last year or so. With Dipika Pallikal not competing, there is hardly any competition for the 29-year-old.
ARCHERY
Deepika Kumari: She shot to fame at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and she will be seeking to rediscover her lost mojo at this Games. Following a terrible 2014, she slowly rediscovered her form last year with three medals. A strong show could act as catalyst on the road to the Olympics.
BADMINTON
PV SINDHU: With Saina Nehwal ruled out, it will be upto P V Sindhu to keep the Indian flag flying.
BOXING
MC Mary Kom: The five-time world champion and an inspiration to many would be determined to use this event as a preparatory test for her Rio ambitions. A bronze medallist at the London Olympics, one hasn’t seen much of her since the 2014 Asian Games triumph. A good show in Shillong will hold her in good stead.
Sarita Devi: Things appeared going downhill for Sarita when she was slapped with a one-year ban when she controversially refused not to accept her bronze medal at the Incheon Asian Games. While many would have given up, the 30-year-old chose to fight on and would be determined to prove a point.
A peep into the past Games
1984 Kathmandu
India: 44 gold medals, 28 silver, 16 bronze; Sri Lanka: 7 gold, 11 silver, 19 bronze; Pakistan: 5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze
1985 Dhaka
India: 61 gold, 32 silver, 14 bronze; Pakistan: 21 gold, 26 silver, 12 bronze; Bangladesh: 9 gold, 17 silver, 38 bronze
1987 Calcutta (now Kolkata)
India: 91 gold, 45 silver, 19 bronze; Pakistan: 16 gold, 39 silver, 14 bronze; Sri Lanka: 4 gold, 7 silver, 23 bronze
1989 Islamabad
India: 61 gold, 43 silver, 20 bronze; Pakistan: 45 gold, 33 silver, 42 bronze; Sri Lanka: 6 gold, 10 silver, 21 bronze
1991 Colombo
India: 64 gold, 59 silver, 41 bronze; Sri Lanka: 44 gold, 34 silver, 40 bronze; Pakistan: 28 gold, 32 silver, 27 bronze
1993 Dhaka
India: 60 gold, 46 silver, 31 bronze; Pakistan: 23 gold, 22 silver, 20 bronze; Sri Lanka: 20 gold, 22 silver, 39 bronze
1995 Madras (now Chennai)
India: 106 gold, 60 silver, 19 bronze; Sri Lanka: 16 gold, 25 silver, 53 bronze; Pakistan: 10 gold, 33 silver, 36 bronze
1999 Kathmandu
India: 102 gold, 58 silver, 37 bronze; Nepal: 32 gold, 10 silver, 24 bronze; Sri Lanka: 16 gold, 42 silver, 62 bronze
2004 Islamabad
India: 103 gold, 57 silver, 22 bronze; Pakistan: 58 gold, 55 silver, 50 bronze; Sri Lanka: 17 gold, 32 silver, 57 bronze
2006 Colombo
India: 118 gold, 59 silver, 37 bronze; Pakistan: 46 gold, 71 silver, 67 bronze; Sri Lanka: 37 gold, 63 silver, 78 bronze
2010 Dhaka
India: 90 gold, 55 silver, 30 bronze; Pakistan: 19 gold, 25 silver, 36 bronze; Bangladesh: 18 gold, 23 silver, 56 bronze
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