Glasgow: India opened their Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign with two victories in bowls on Thursday with Putul Sonowal upsetting reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in men’s singles and Pinki Singh-Rupa Tirkey winning in women’s pairs.
Putul Sonowal, making his Commonwealth Games debut at the age of 43, prevailed in a tie-break to beat Bester after the two players split the first two sets at the Scottish Event Campus.
Sonowal, the reigning Asian champion, had edged the first set 5-4 before losing the second 7-3 in his first play match of Section D, which includes six players. The bowlers who win each of the four sections (A to D) will qualify for the semi-finals.
Earlier, Pinki Singh and Rupa Tirkey, part of the women’s fours team that won the gold medal at Birmingham 2022, edged Malta’s Connie Rixon and Rebecca Rixon in their Section B women’s pairs contest.
The Indian duo claimed the opening set 7-1 before Malta forced a tie-break by taking the second set. Pinki’s final bowl, however, sealed victory for India.
Putul will face Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands in his second men’s singles Section D match, while Pinki Singh and Rupa Tirkey are set to take on South Africa. Both matches will be on Friday.
Mirabai Chanu was the flag-bearer as India made their entry at the Commonwealth Games 2026 Opening Ceremony at the Hydro Stadium in Glasgow.
