Largest ever Indian contingent eye historic medal haul at 2016 Rio Olympics

With the first ever Olympic Games to be played in South America, India is going ahead with an ecstatic 119-strong contingent. Overcoming all the doping scandals, India will be eyeing a good two digit medal haul at the Summer Games which will commence tomorrow, 5 August, in Brazil. The biggest relief for India has been wrestler Narsingh Yadav's clearance after he was ensnared in a doping scandal.

Despite many controversies and two athletes being forced to stay behind after testing positive in dope tests, Indian athletes look like confident medal contenders. On the first day of the competition, on Saturday, India may hope to clinch a medal as Jitu Rai will be representing the nation in the 10m air pistol. Looking at his current form, Rai seems unstoppable. Reigning 50m champion at the ISSF World Cup and ranked 3rd in both 50m and 10m air pistol, Rai will be looking to repeat Abhinav Bindra's Beijing 2008 gold medal feat.

The 28-year-old has won two golds, three silvers, and one bronze in the World Cups, a gold at the Asian and Commonwealth games. Competing in both the events, the Nepali-origin shooter is undoubtedly the favourite for a top finish in the star-studded 12-member team.

However, Abhinav Bindra, in his fifth and final appearance, who would be India's flag-bearer at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony, would look to end his career on a high even though he has not been in top form.

Bindra will be joined by London Olympics bronze-medallist Gagan Narang. In his fourth Olympic appearance, Narang will compete in three events. Focus will also be on the likes of Heena Sidhu, Ayonika Paul, Apurvi Chandela - India's three women shooters.

Another big medal prospect for India would be wrestling. It remains to be seen how Narsingh, competing in the 74kg freestyle, will overcome the tumultuous build-up he endured during the run up to the mega event. London Olympics bronze-medallist Yogeshwar Dutt (65kg freestyle) would be expected to do an encore or even better his feat.

--with agency inputs