Anush Agarwalla, one of India’s leading dressage riders, has remained at the centre of a growing controversy over the country’s Asian Games 2026 squad. The Kolkata-born Olympian was named only as a reserve despite his recent international performances, prompting him to challenge the selection process in court. On Friday, the Delhi High Court reserved its verdict on his plea, while the Centre argued that his performances warrant a place in India’s Asian Games team.
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Sports Ministry backs Anush Agarwalla’s selection
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports came out in support of Agarwalla during the hearing, telling the Delhi High Court that the rider has consistently delivered performances worthy of representing India at the Asian Games.
According to the Centre, “Equestrian Anush Agarwalla has been performing in a manner that merits representing India at the Asian Games.”
The ministry also highlighted his recent success at the CDIO4 Nations Cup in Germany, where Agarwalla finished second behind former world champion Charlotte Marie Schürmann. It argued that the result reflects the Olympian’s current form and reinforces his credentials for selection.
Agarwalla, an Olympian and an Asian Games gold and bronze medallist, continues to compete at a high level on the international circuit, the Centre submitted before the court.
Delhi High Court reserves verdict
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia heard submissions from the Centre, the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) and the petitioners before reserving its verdict. The judgment will be pronounced at a later date.
The matter reached the Division Bench after a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court dismissed petitions filed by Agarwalla and fellow rider Sudipti Hajela on June 29.
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In that order, the court upheld the selection process followed by the EFI’s ad hoc committee, stating that there was no evidence of bias or violation of the prescribed selection rules.
Meanwhile, the selection dispute involving two riders continues in the courts. On June 29, a single-judge bench of the Delhi High Court dismissed their petitions, upholding the Equestrian Federation of India’s (EFI) selection process. The court ruled that there was no evidence of bias or any violation of the federation’s selection rules. Unhappy with the decision, the two riders have now moved a division bench of the Delhi High Court, challenging the earlier verdict.
Anush Agarwalla is the first Indian equestrian to ride in a dressage event at the Olympics! 👏@WeAreTeamIndia | @AnushAgarwalla pic.twitter.com/LvN6cZmO9U— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) September 17, 2024
What happened during the hearing?
Appearing for the EFI ad hoc committee, the federation’s counsel argued that the country’s best riders had been selected for the competition.
During the proceedings, the court observed that if any committee is required in connection with the matter, it should be constituted jointly by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), with representation from the EFI as well.
The bench, however, made it clear that it was not expressing any opinion on the quality or fairness of the EFI’s selection process.
After hearing detailed arguments from all parties, the Division Bench reserved its verdict.
Why did Anush Agarwalla challenge the selection?
The dispute began after the EFI ad hoc committee announced India’s dressage squad for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.z
While the main squad featured four riders, Agarwalla was named the first reserve and Sudipti Hajela the second reserve.
The two riders challenged the selection, alleging discrepancies in the calculation of the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER). They also claimed that the selection criteria had been incorrectly interpreted and alleged bias in the selection process.
Those claims were rejected by the single-judge bench. The Division Bench’s forthcoming verdict will now determine the next course of action in the high-profile selection dispute and whether there will be any change to India’s dressage squad for the Asian Games.
FAQ
Who is Anush Agarwalla?
The Equestrian Dressage came into notice after grabbing bronze in the Asian Games in 2022, where he scored 73.030. He also competed in the 2024 Summer Olympics, where he finished 52nd in the Grand Prix.
Why did Anush Agarwalla challenge his Asian Games 2026 selection?
Anush Agarwalla challenged the selection after being named a reserve rider, alleging errors in the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) calculation and bias in the selection process.
