New Delhi: The journey began with the legendary Milkha Singh. After gaining independence, India did not participate in the 1950 Games, and their return to the competition in 1954 ended without any medals.
Event Context
The Commonwealth Games serve as a vital platform for Indian athletes to gauge their skills ahead of more demanding multi-sport events, such as the Asian Games and the Olympics. In sports like athletics, swimming, and cycling, Indian competitors face a world-class field, making podium placements particularly challenging. Conversely, in disciplines such as boxing, shooting, and weightlifting, India approaches the Games with greater expectations for medal success.
Neeraj Chopra, who clinched the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, achieved a significant milestone that propelled his remarkable career forward. Although he had to withdraw from the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to injury, he is set to compete in Glasgow, facing a challenging chapter in his career at the age of 28. After missing out on a medal at the 2025 World Championships and grappling with back and hamstring issues, he seeks redemption.
Chopra is not the only athlete looking to reclaim his status in Glasgow. Murali Sreeshankar, the long jumper, is making a noteworthy comeback following knee surgery that affected his Paris Olympics journey. He has consistently jumped over 8m since returning and is among the medal favorites, having achieved a jump of 8.38m this season. Additionally, Sarvesh Anil Kushare in high jump has been making waves by reaching the finals of the 2025 World Championships and breaking the national record with a leap of 2.31m, putting him fourth on the global list this season, alongside England’s Kimani Jack, also at 2.31m. The main attraction will be Olympic and world champion Hamish Kerr.
Tejaswin Shankar, who won a bronze in high jump during the last Commonwealth Games, is now competing in the demanding decathlon, where he continues to set new records. Expectations are also high for steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary and long-distance runner Gulveer Singh. Eyes will also be on 19-year-old high jump prodigy Pooja, the Asian Championships gold medallist and national record holder at 1.93m, as well as Gurindervir Singh, who established the national 100m record with a time of 10.09 seconds at the Federation Cup.
Player Focus
India’s standing in the medal tally for this edition should not be seen in isolation due to the limited sports program. Key events like wrestling, badminton, and table tennis—historically significant sources of medals for India—were absent from the competition lineup.
As a result, it’s essential to evaluate the outcomes as performances in their respective disciplines, especially considering India’s preparation for the Asian Games just two months away.
After a nine-month hiatus due to injury, he made his comeback at the Doha Diamond League, achieving a throw of 85.67m. Although he placed fourth, this performance has reignited his passion and determination to excel on the world stage.
Team Analysis
By the time the 1958 Commonwealth Games took place in Cardiff, Milkha Singh was primed to showcase his talent. He secured a gold medal in the 440-yard sprint with a remarkable time of 46.6 seconds, marking India’s inaugural gold medal at the Commonwealth level. This achievement signaled both his personal triumph and India’s emergence on the global athletic scene.
Match Outlook
India is set to field a team of 124 athletes, including 27 para-athletes, competing across 13 sports. Notably, boxing and weightlifting are expected to yield the highest returns for the nation. Track and field events have historically posed significant challenges at the Commonwealth Games due to strong competitors from England, Australia, Canada, and various African nations. However, India previously performed admirably, securing eight medals (1 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) at the last edition in Birmingham. Given the recent surge in national records, the performances of India’s track and field athletes will be closely observed this time around.
**Neeraj Chopra**
Leading India’s charge is Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic and World Championships medallist. The javelin event promises fierce competition, comparable to the Olympics, featuring formidable opponents like reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, who is known for throwing beyond 90 meters, and world medallists such as Anderson Peters from Grenada and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who leads the world this season with a throw of 92.62m at the Rome Diamond League. Rohit Yadav, the season’s second-best thrower with a distance of 87.05m, adds to the excitement surrounding this anticipated event.
**Murali Sreeshankar**
In boxing, India secured seven medals during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. With a full-strength team of 14 boxers headed to Glasgow, there are high hopes for an even greater medal haul. The squad is led by Lovlina Borgohain, a bronze medallist from the Tokyo Olympics (75 kg). This event also offers a crucial opportunity for newcomers like Jadumani Singh (55 kg) and Aditya Pratap (65 kg) to shine. Experienced fighter Sakshi Chaudhary, a two-time world youth champion, will aim to solidify her spot in the lineup after defeating Nikhat Zareen in the trials. Additionally, expectations are high for Paris Olympians Preeti Saipawar (54 kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (57 kg) to secure gold medals.
**Weightlifting**
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu will spearhead the weightlifting team, which remains a strong contender in high-pressure international events. The weightlifting roster was reduced from 16 to 12 members due to doping violations within the squad.
**Judo**
The 14-member judo team looks to outperform its previous tally of three medals from the last Commonwealth Games. Notable judokas to watch include silver medallist Tulika Maan and Inunganbi Takhellambam, who broke a 13-year wait for an Asian Championships medal for India in April. The lawn bowls team, which won gold and silver medals in the last edition, is also aiming to replicate that success. A strong performance at the Commonwealth Games would set the stage for Indian athletes as they prepare for the Asian Games and qualifications for the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles.
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The successful organization of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) this year marks a significant triumph for Commonwealth Sport. There was a moment when the multi-sport event appeared doomed after Victoria, Australia, opted out as the host due to rising costs. However, Glasgow stepped in at the last minute to rescue the 2026 Commonwealth Games, agreeing to conduct a scaled-back version featuring fewer sports, resources, and venues.
Looking ahead, India plans to enhance the Commonwealth Games experience by hosting a comprehensive program in Ahmedabad in 2030.
The Glasgow 2026 edition will include just 10 sports and six para sports, all taking place within a compact eight-mile corridor across four venues. The Games will be held at four prominent locations in Glasgow: Scotstoun Stadium, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), the Glasgow International Arena, and the Tollcross International Swimming Centre. The organizers promote the 11-day event as a celebration that merges “world-class sport with a future-focused vision, fueled by the vibrant spirit of Glasgow.”
