Atanu back in India squad

Kolkata: Atanu Das made a comeback to India's recurve archery squad after missing out on Paris Olympics by finishing among top four in the selection trials that concluded at SAI Eastern Regional Centre here on Monday. The four-day-long open selection trails gave due importance to not only the archers' consistency but also rewarded their good scoring with bonus points.Das will rejoin his old India mates Dhiraj Bommadevara and Tarundeep Rai while Parth Saunkhe will be the fourth member of the side selected to take part in the first two World Cups this year.The WC Stage I will be held at Haines City, Florida from April 8-13 while Shanghai will host the Stage II of the four-leg competition from May 6-11.Sikkim's Rai continues to defy age as even at 40 he remains one of India's most reliable and consistent archer making the side as second-best behind reigning national champion Dhiraj.The women's recurve side will have Paris Olympics teammates Ankita Bhakat and Deepika Kumari while Simranjeet Kaur and Anshika Kumari will be the other two members. Deepika continues her good run after claiming the national title last month.Former World cadet and junior champion Komalika Bari narrowly missed the cut ending fifth while Bengal's Basanti Mahato gave a good account of herself before fizzling out.In the compound category, Abhishek Verma continued to hold the sway in the men's section by topping the trials. However, another star archer Rajat Chauhan of Rajasthan failed to make the grade ending eighth.The women's compound team will see experienced Vennam Jyothi Surekha and Aditi Gopichand Swami, but it was Maharashtra's Madhura Dhamangaonkar who topped the list with Telegana's Taniparthi Chikitha, who played the Asia Cup in Uzbekistan in April 2023, also making the senior side for the first time.Recurve: Men's: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Parth SaunkheWomen's: Ankita Bhakat, Deepika Kumari, Simranjeet Kaur, Anshika KumariCompound: Men's: Abhishek Verma, Rishabh Yadav, Ojas Pravin Deotale, Uday KambojWomen's: Madhura Dhamangaonkar, Vennam Jyothi Surekha, Taniparthi Chikitha, Aditi Gopichand Swami