Strong Indian Golf Team Eyes Asian Games 2023 Medals

The seven-member Indian golf team, comprising the likes of Anirban Lahiri and Aditi Ashok, will be hoping to carry forward its recent superb form when the event commences at the Asian Games on Thursday. Lahiri will be leading an experienced set of Indian golfers including Shubhankar Sharma, Khalin Joshi and SSP Chawrasia, while the women's team has the likes of Olympian Aditi, Pranavi Urs and Avani Prashanth. While Lahiri and Sharma have been given automatic berths in the men's section, Aditi has been given the same honour among women.

Joshi and Chawrasia among men and Pranavi and Avani in women came through the qualifiers conducted for amateurs and pros by the Indian Golf Union (IGU).

Lahiri, the only one in this group to have won a medal at the Asian Games, did so way back in 2006 when he clinched a team silver as an amateur.

"That was an amazing feeling," he recalled.

He said, "For me, it is very exciting; obviously to have the opportunity to play again in the Asian Games. It's a great honour to represent the country. It is obviously something I cherish and look forward to.

"This doesn't come around very often. So it's always a very, very important event for me personally. I am looking forward to spending time with the team. I don't really know some of them very well.

"As for my colleagues in the men's team, SSP (Chawrasia) is a very dear friend. We've done Olympics (2016) together. Shubhankar and I are very, very close and we have played a lot together. I think it will be a new experience for Khalin (Joshi).

"So, yes, all of us are looking forward to it and nothing will be better for golf in India than if we can bring back some medals." The senior-most player in the golf contingent, who has played two Olympic Games