Prithika Pradeep is sharpening her skills at the Sonipat camp.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A self-confessed M.S. Dhoni fan, 17-year-old compound archer Prithika Pradeep is inspired by the cricket legend’s calmness as she prepares for her Asian Games debut.
A World youth silver medallist and World Cup Stage silver medallist in 2025, Prithika made her mark by topping the Asiad selection trials and then securing individual bronze and team silver at the World Cup Stage-4 in Madrid this year.
The Nagercoil-born Prithika, who was brought up in Pune and took to archery as a hobby because she liked the name of the sport, is sharpening her skills along with experienced team-mates V. Jyothi Surekha and Chikitha Taniparthi at the Sonipat camp.
“After winning the Madrid medals, I have gained in confidence. But now that is over. I have to focus on the Asian Games. Here, I get to learn by training with the seniors. They share their experience. Jyothi didi tells me to stay calm and give my best without taking pressure,” Prithika told The Hindu.
Pursuing a sport that demands composure, Prithika idolises ‘Captain Cool’ Dhoni. “My favourite is M.S. Dhoni. I admire him a lot. Novak Djokovic is also my favourite. But I like Dhoni’s mindset, calmness and quick decision-making. I read a lot of books on him.”
Prithika said last year’s inaugural Archery Premier League, where archers got 15 seconds instead of 20 to shoot an arrow, also helped her. “It gave me confidence. I enjoyed it. Exposure to foreign archers was also beneficial as they shared their experience.”
While fine-tuning her individual game, Prithika — going through the routine of meditation, warm-up, training, playing matches and gym work — is giving equal attention to teamwork. “We also train for team events — both women’s and mixed team, as we pair up with different male archers,” she said.
Published – September 01, 2026 05:36 pm IST
