Indian Men’s Recurve Team Stunned by Bangladesh as Mixed Results Mark Shanghai Archery World Cup Campaign

India’s campaign in the recurve men’s team event at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai suffered a significant setback as the trio of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, and Yashdeep Bhoge went down 2-6 to Bangladesh in the Round of 16.

In a competition where India had entered with expectations of a deep run, the early exit highlighted both the fine margins in team archery and the growing competitiveness of emerging nations.

The contest against Bangladesh was closely fought in patches but ultimately slipped away due to India’s inability to capitalize in key moments. Bangladesh started strongly, taking the opening set 55-52, putting immediate pressure on the Indian trio. While India responded well in the second set to level the contest at 54-54, the momentum did not fully swing in their favour. The third set proved decisive. Bangladesh edged ahead 53-52, a narrow but crucial margin that put India on the back foot. In team archery, such one-point differences often define matches, and India could not recover from that setback. Bangladesh then sealed the tie in the fourth set with a commanding 57-53 performance, closing out the match 6-2 and registering one of their most notable wins on the international stage.

For India, the loss raises questions about consistency under pressure. While the trio showed flashes of quality, particularly in the second set, they struggled to string together high-scoring ends when it mattered most. In contrast, Bangladesh maintained composure and delivered more consistent groupings, especially in the closing stages. The individual recurve events offered a mixed bag for India. Veteran Tarundeep Rai progressed comfortably in his opening elimination match, defeating Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Saloum 6-2 with a composed display. However, the challenges ahead intensified, with tougher opponents awaiting in the later rounds.

Dhiraj Bommadevara, one of India’s most promising young archers, entered the competition directly in the Round of 16 owing to his seeding, reflecting his strong qualification performance. His progression remains a key positive for India, as he continues to establish himself at the highest level. Yashdeep Bhoge, however, faced a tough outing against Olympic champion Mete Gazoz of Türkiye. The Indian archer was unable to match the Turkish star’s precision, going down 0-6 in a one-sided contest. It was a reminder of the gap that still exists when facing the very top tier of global archers.

Atanu Das, another experienced name in the Indian setup, endured a disappointing early exit, losing 3-7 to Bangladesh’s Md Mishad Prodhan. The defeat further compounded India’s struggles in the men’s recurve segment, particularly against opponents who have steadily improved in recent years. On the women’s side, however, the narrative was far more encouraging. India’s women archers delivered strong performances across rounds, underlining their growing consistency in international competitions.

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Deepika Kumari led from the front with a dominant 6-2 win over Mexico’s Rebeca Marquez Rodriguez, showcasing her experience and control. Ankita Bhakat was equally impressive, registering a flawless 6-0 victory against New Zealand’s Julia Harrison, reflecting her sharp form. Kumkum Mohod added to India’s positive run with a convincing 6-2 win over Germany’s Lisa Lucks, while Simranjeet Kaur secured a hard-fought 6-4 victory against Spain’s Paula Alvarez Gonzalez. These results ensured a strong Indian presence in the later stages of the women’s individual competition.

The team events, too, reflected contrasting fortunes. While the men’s team exited early, the women’s recurve team continued their impressive run, highlighted by their historic victory over South Korea to reach the final. That result alone stands as one of the biggest achievements of the season and offers a sharp contrast to the men’s struggles.

Taken together, India’s performance in Shanghai presents a familiar pattern—strong results in women’s recurve, but inconsistency in the men’s events. The gap is not necessarily one of potential, but of execution. Matches at this level are often decided by marginal differences, and the inability to maintain high-scoring consistency across sets continues to cost the men’s team. For Bangladesh, the win marks a significant milestone. Their victory over India is not just an upset but a reflection of the broader shift in global archery, where traditional hierarchies are increasingly being challenged.

As the tournament progresses, India will look to build on the positives from the women’s events while reassessing their approach in the men’s category. The talent is evident, but translating that into consistent results remains the key challenge. The Shanghai stage has once again demonstrated that in modern archery, there are no easy matches. For India’s men’s recurve team, the defeat to Bangladesh will serve as both a setback and a learning opportunity as they aim to regroup ahead of upcoming international competitions.