Twelve years after Shiv Prakash Misra and Vinay Dhawan won India’s first Asian Games tennis medal, another Indian pair added a new chapter to the country’s tennis history.
At the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, Shyam Minotra and Chiradip Mukerjea claimed the bronze medal in men’s doubles, securing India’s second-ever tennis medal at the Games. Once again, it came in the men’s doubles event and once again in Bangkok—the city that had witnessed India’s first breakthrough in 1966.
Returning to Bangkok
The 1978 Asian Games tennis competition was held from December 10–19 in Bangkok, Thailand. Asian tennis had become increasingly competitive, with countries such as Indonesia, China, Japan and South Korea producing strong international players.
Against this backdrop, Minotra and Mukerjea battled their way to a bronze medal in men’s doubles, ensuring that India’s presence on the Asian Games tennis podium continued after a twelve-year gap. Their achievement reinforced India’s growing reputation in Asian tennis and kept the country’s medal-winning tradition alive.
Shyam Minotra: A Mainstay of Indian Tennis
Shyam Minotra was one of India’s leading players during the 1970s. A Davis Cup representative and Asian Championship winner, he earned a reputation as a fierce competitor and was regarded as one of the country’s top players during the era. Alongside S.P. Misra, he won the Asian Championship in 1970 before adding an Asian Games bronze medal to his achievements in Bangkok in 1978.
After retiring from competitive tennis, Minotra remained deeply involved in the sport’s administration. He stayed closely associated with the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) and also served for many years as Chairman of the Davis Cup Selection Committee of the All India Tennis Association (AITA), helping shape Indian tennis beyond his playing days.
Minotra passed away in August 2008 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a lasting legacy as both a player and administrator who contributed significantly to Indian tennis.
Chiradip Mukerjea: From Wimbledon to the Asian Games Podium
If Minotra was one half of the partnership, Chiradip Mukerjea brought an impressive international résumé of his own.
A regular member of India’s Davis Cup squad, Mukerjea enjoyed success on some of the sport’s biggest stages. He reached the second round of Wimbledon on multiple occasions, including a memorable victory over future world-class player Wojciech Fibak in 1975. He also represented India successfully in Davis Cup competition and was among the country’s leading players during the decade.
Indian tennis fans may also remember Mukerjea’s historic Wimbledon victory over Hans Engert in 1973, a feat that was recently revisited on Kaun Banega Crorepati and introduced a new generation to one of Indian tennis’ forgotten achievements.
Keeping India’s Medal Journey Alive
The bronze medal won by Shyam Minotra and Chiradip Mukerjea may not be as widely remembered today as India’s later successes at the Asian Games, but it occupies a special place in the country’s tennis history.
Their podium finish in Bangkok in 1978 ensured that India’s Asian Games tennis story did not end with the pioneering medal of 1966. Instead, it became the second chapter of a journey that would eventually lead to the achievements of Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi, Sania Mirza, Somdev Devvarman and many others.
As the countdown continues to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, it is worth remembering the players who carried Indian tennis forward during the 1970s. Among them were Shyam Minotra and Chiradip Mukerjea—the men who brought home India’s second Asian Games tennis medal.