As the largest-ever contingent from India competes in the Olympic Games in Rio, hundreds of thousands of people back home will watch their progress with keen interest. Will they get gold home, grab more medals than they did in London? V. Kumara Swamy asked five experts from disciplines India fancies her chances in

SHOOTING

Anticipated number of medals: 4

ANJALI BHAGWAT, former world champion and Olympian

India has 12 shooters and each one of them is world-class. Shooting rules have changed in recent years with each shot being evaluated in decimals rather than points for the ring. So the difference bet ween a gold or a bronze can be as little as 0.2 points. Everybody has a chance to win a medal. But Jitu Rai (air pistol) is my favourite for a medal. He is an army man, so is never under pressure. Winning is like a job for him. Pistol shooter Heena Sidhu is another favourite. She is technically very sound and has been training under a top US-based sports psychologist for the Olympics. I am sure that she will do really well if she qualifies for the finals. Abhinav Bindra will be under less pressure as he has announced that he will retire after the Olympics. He never leaves any stone unturned in his preparation. Gagan Narang won a bronze the last time; if it is his day he can do it again. Chain Singh (50m rifle), Mairaj Ahmed Khan (shotgun) and Manvanjit Singh Sandhu (trap shooting) can spring a surprise. I expect four medals from our shooting squad: one gold, one silver and two bronzes.

WRESTLING

Anticipated number of medals: 2

YASHVIR SINGH, former national coach of the Indian team

India will have eight wrestlers this year — four men and four women. We could have sent more players but the Games have done away with the 61 and 70kg categories from this year. Bajrang Punia and Sushil Kumar would’ve been strong medal contenders in these weight categories. In the current squad, Sandeep Tomar (57kg freestyle), Narsingh Yadav (74kg freestyle) or his replacement Praveen Rana are very good wrestlers but the competition is very tough in these weight categories. Yogeshwar Dutt (65kg freestyle) is our best bet. He is extraordinarily talented and has a lot of strength and willpower. His greatest asset is that mentally he is always in the game and his opponent can never relax even with a big lead. He won a bronze in the last Olympics, but the colour of the medal may change this year. Among women, I am really impressed by Vinesh Phogat (48kg freestyle). She is only 22 but has the mind of a champion. I think she can win a medal as she is in good form.  I expect two medals from our wrestling squad.

TENNIS

Anticipated number of medals: 2

MANISHA MALHOTRA , former national tennis champion and Olympian

With Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza teaming up, our best chance is for a medal is in the mixed doubles. Both are experienced and have been at the top of world ranking tables. But there will be a tough competition with the top rank players of the world teaming up with their country's best women players. The outcome will depend on the draw and also the kind of players the Indian duo will face in the initial rounds. If they do not encounter top players in the early rounds, we have a great chance of winning a medal. In the men's doubles, I am not sure of our chances because Leander Paes and Bopanna are a relatively new pair, and the competition will be very, very tough. But they did well in the Davis Cup recently, so we should hope for a good performance from them as well.

BOXING

Anticipated number of medals: 1

GURBUX SINGH SANDHU, current national coach

Our boxing suffered after our federation was de-recognised by the international body. In the last Games, we had eight boxers, including Mary Kom. This time we have three boxers — Shiva Thapa (56kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Vikas Krishan (75kg). All are talented, fearless and aggressive. Thapa and Krishan are ranked No. 6 in the world and they have also won medals in world championships. Manoj is a very good boxer, but it all depends on the draw he gets. In 2008, Akhil Kumar defeated the then world champion in an early round and that gave him and the team confidence. One good round, or two, and our boxers can spring a surprise. We may repeat our 2008 performance  or do even better.

BADMINTON

Anticipated number of medals: 1

VIMAL KUMAR, former national coach and Olympian

Three players have qualified for the singles events — Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu and K. Srikanth. In the women’s singles, the field is open and 8-10 women have an equal chance this time. Saina has been relatively injury-free and is in top form. She recently won the Australian Open. Sindhu can do well, too, if she remains consistent. Srikanth hasn’t won anything big to boast of in the last one year, but he has beaten almost every top player in the world. So he will excite Indian badminton fans. In the women’s doubles, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa will find the going tough as the field is really strong but if they get a good draw, they can compete well. A medal will be a tough proposition in doubles. But I expect at least one medal from this squad in the women’s singles.

HOCKEY

Anticipated number of medals: Let's not think that far

VIREN RASQUINHA, former captain of the hockey team and Olympian

There was excitement among hockey enthusiasts after India did well in the Champions Trophy 2016 in London recently. I hope the team doesn't come under pressure because of heightened expectations. With the rules changed, the top four teams in each of the two groups qualify for the quarter finals. India's first target should be to reach the quarter-finals. I hope that the players do not look beyond the first game. No team will give India any breathing space. And we cannot afford to have a single weak link. Coach Roelant Oltmans has done a remarkable job. There is a lot of camaraderie and team spirit. It would be foolhardy to expect a medal. I hope the team doesn't think that far.