Junior shooting coach in dock over multiple sexual misconduct allegat…

A male coach of the junior shooting team is in the dock over alleged multiple incidents of sexual misconduct with players.

The coach, who is employed with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has already been removed from his base at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range pending an inquiry by the internal complaints committee.

A parent of a young shooter first raised the issue before range administrator Nitin Jaiswal in June. However, no formal complaint was lodged by the parent. chickenroad-game.rodeo

It is learnt the coach was allegedly involved in another incident that happened during the ISSF Junior World Championships in Suhl, Germany, from June 16 to 26. It is alleged that two girls complained before other coaches after the accused coach misbehaved with them. One of the girls was reportedly distressed after the coach allegedly attempted to touch her inappropriately.

“Both girls were in tears and had to be consoled. The matter was recorded in the report submitted by the coaches to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI),” said a source familiar with the incident.

The incident and a few others were part of a complaint lodged by the young shooters with the NRAI, which notified its internal complaints committee and also reported the matter to the SAI headquarters.

“It is submitted that an intimation was received from the National Rifle Association of India regarding a complaint against a shooting coach at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range. The matter is sub judice before the NRAI internal complaints committee,” SAI told The Tribune in a statement.

“The matter was taken into cognisance. As an administrative measure, the coach was withdrawn from Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range and attached to the Regional Centre, Delhi, pending the outcome of the NRAI inquiry,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the eight-member internal complaints committee, which is headed by former MP Putul Kumari, met the coach and a few others at a formal hearing at the NRAI office on Thursday. The proceedings were video-graphed and it is understood that further proceedings may happen before a decision is made in the matter

The Indian team is going to play their next T20I series against Afghanistan, which will began from September 13 to 17th. This clash will be important for the hosts as they played their last T20I series against Zimbabwe in July.

Ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI’s) chief selector of the senior men’s cricket selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, was missing from the BCCI’s all-important review meeting, which was held on September 3 in Mumbai.

Ajit Agarkar’s contract extension remains unclear after absence from key meeting

His absence from the important meetings created more buzz and speculation around his tenure. There were many reports escalated in past days regarding whether his tenure will extend or not.

Still, there is no confirmation about the extension of his contract as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI’s) chief selector. However, the one piece of information about his contract is clear that it ends in September.

Ajit Agarkar was handed his duties in July 2023. During his tenure, he handled and took some important steps as he was a selector of the Team India’s ODI World Cup 2023 squad. Not only this, he played a major part in making Team India winner of the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups and the 2025 Champions Trophy as well.

Many top decision-makers were present at the meetings, like team head coach Gautam Gambhir, Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman and both captains Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer.

BCCI explains Ajit Agarkar’s absence, contract extension not discussed

Well, if we discuss why Ajit Agarkar was not in the meeting. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia opened up about his absence from the important meeting and claimed that he was not in Mumbai and the meeting was called on short notice.

“He was out of station. He could not be part of the meeting. This meeting was called on short notice. He was not in town. He was in such an area, where he could not join online despite his best efforts.”

Saikia also said that there was no discussion about extending Ajit Agarkar’s contract during the meeting.

He added that the main focus was on the team’s poor results in the England and Sri Lanka series. The meeting also discussed plans for the team’s future and preparations for the 2027 World Cup.

In the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 match against Hong Kong, Team India has reached the score of 85 runs for the loss of one wicket in 10 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

Having been put to bat first, Team India's opening batswoman Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal are unbeaten at the crease. Fellow opening batswoman Shafali Verma was dismissed on 28 runs in 17 balls, including three boundaries and two maximums.

Hong Kong's Ruchitha Venkatesh has managed to claim one wicket. Iqra Sahar, Kary Chan, Marina Lamplough, Maryam Bibi, and Mei Wai Siu will continue the hunt for their first wicket.

Earlier, Hong Kong's skipper Natasha Miles has won the toss and elected to bowl first against the "Women in Blue".

After winning the toss, Hong Kong's skipper Miles said, "We're going to have a bowl first. I think the conditions would suit that. Very confident with our batting lineup to come out here and chase down any score. So, let's make the most of these conditions. [What is a good total?] I think we've seen, as an average score, it's been about 120 -130. They're obviously a very accomplished side, so, looking at 140, 150, we've had a couple of chases like that this year. So, if we can keep them to 140, 150... [Any changes?] We have two changes. I'm coming in for Dorothea, and Iqra Sahar is coming in. [How big is this occasion?] It's obviously a very exciting occasion. We're playing one of the top teams in the world. They're an incredible side. Obviously, everyone's very excited to see how we can compete against such an incredible side. And, I mean, taking in the occasion and enjoying ourselves, and hopefully we come back to the Asia Cup in the future. [On Alison Siu playing her 100th T20I] She's been a spearhead for our attack for many years now. Always making 100 appearances for your country is an incredible achievement. So, congrats to Alison, and we're happy to have her on the side always and hope she has a great game".

Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, India vs Hong Kong: Confirmed Playing XIs

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Nandani Sharma, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud.

Hong Kong: Natasha Miles (C), Maryam Bibi, Alison Siu, Mariko Hill, Iqra Sahar, Joyleen Kaur, Marina Lamplough, Yasmin Daswani (WK), Ruchita Venkatesh, Shanzeen Shahzad, Kary Chan.

Smriti Mandhana has made history as the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket, breaking Mithali Raj's enduring record during the Asia Cup. Her extraordinary performance included a remarkable 124 runs off just 64 balls, establishing new benchmarks for both individual scores and partnerships. This milestone is a pivotal moment, showcasing the evolution and rise of women's cricket on the global stage.