Kolkata: Indian contingent with 126 athletes are set to compete in Commonwealth Games 2026 at Glasgow starting from July 23.
India won 61 games in last edition but are set to face a major setback as their strong medal winning guaranteed Sports like Shooting, Cricket, Hockey, Badminton, Wrestling, etc are missing due to economic issues and host change. As a result, big names like PV Sindhu, Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, etc will be missing who could have been major medal prospects.
However, despite that, Indians have high hopes in athletes competing in the remaining sports.
Let’s take a look at India’s major medals prospects –
ATHLETICS –
After missing the Birmingham Commonwealth Games through injury, Neeraj Chopra returns as the biggest name in India’s squad. The two-time Olympic medallist and Gold Coast 2018 champion will be expected to add another Commonwealth medal to his collection.
India’s medal chances on the track are relatively limited, but Parul Chaudhary has put herself in contention through consistent performances in the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m.
The field events offer greater promise. Murali Sreeshankar has worked his way back from a patellar tendon rupture that threatened his career. Having cleared 8.38m this season, he will hope to improve on the silver medal he won in Birmingham.
In the triple jump, Praveen Chithravel enters Glasgow after a season-best leap of 16.92m at the Inter-State Championships, making him one of India’s strongest medal contenders.
Veteran Tejinderpal Toor will lead India’s challenge in the men’s shot put, while Manpreet Kaur carries the country’s hopes in the women’s event.
India also has two contenders in the women’s discus through Seema Kaliramma and Nidhi Rani.
Few athletes in the squad are as versatile as Tejaswin Shankar. The first Indian to cross the 8,000-point mark in the decathlon, he already has medals from major international competitions and will look to add another in Glasgow.
Let’s take a look at some of Athletics major medal prospects –
Gurindervir Singh ( Sprint)
India’s search for a genuine 100m sprinter capable of challenging the world’s best was answered by 25-year-old Gurindervir Singh when he clocked a national record of 10.09 seconds earlier this year. He became the first Indian to consistently threaten the 10-second barrier, while his performances also produced national records in the 60m and 4x100m relay, highlighting his growing consistency rather than a one-off breakthrough.
For Gurindervir, success will not necessarily be measured by medals. A place in the semi-finals or even the final would underline the progress Indian sprinting has made and boost confidence ahead of the Asian Games and Los Angeles 2028.
Animesh Kujur (Sprint)
Now only 23, Animesh Kujur made history by becoming the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in the modern qualifying era last year. His breakthrough came in 2025 when he clocked 20.32 seconds, setting a national record and winning bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships — India’s first medal in the event since 2015. He is a major medal hope for India.
Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)
There is no bigger name in India’s Commonwealth Games contingent than Neeraj Chopra. After missing the Birmingham Games through injury, the Olympic champion returns with another opportunity to add to his Gold Coast 2018 title. Neeraj only returned to competition this season after recovering from injury and has steadily built rhythm, with a best throw of 85.69m. While that is below his personal best, the expectation is that he will peak at the right time in Glasgow.
The Indian will have to overcome a stacked field featuring Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga, Grenada’s Anderson Peters, compatriot Rohit Yadav, South Africa’s Douw Smit and, potentially, Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, depending on how the defending champion turns up.
Rohit Yadav (Javelin Throw)
While Neeraj remains India’s biggest star, Rohit Yadav has actually been the country’s best javelin thrower this season.
Rohit produced a career-best throw of 87.05m in June to move into genuine gold medal contention. With confidence high and consistency improving, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of India’s strongest medal hopes.
Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump)
Murali Sreeshankar has made a remarkable return after a career-threatening patellar tendon injury and heads to Glasgow in excellent form.
The long jumper has already cleared 8.38m this season, marginally ahead of Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, who has managed 8.37m. If Sreeshankar can reproduce that form on the day, India could well have another Commonwealth champion.
Sarvesh Kushare (High Jump)
Sarvesh Kushare has quietly enjoyed one of the finest seasons by an Indian high jumper.
The Maharashtra athlete finally breached the elusive 2.30m barrier this year, a mark that has propelled him to fourth in the world rankings. His consistency has turned him from an outsider into a genuine gold medal contender.
The biggest challenge is expected to come from Britain’s Kimani Jack, who currently sits third on the world leaderboard.
Praveen Chithravel (Triple Jump)
National record holder Praveen Chithravel continues to be India’s leading hope in the triple jump.
After setting the national record of 17.37m in 2025, Praveen has managed a season-best of 17.08m this year, achieved at the Inter-State Championships in Ranchi.
Jamaica’s Jordan Scott, who has leapt 17.69m this season, starts as the overwhelming favourite for gold. Praveen is likely to battle Kenya’s Kevin Kemboi (17.00m) for the remaining podium places.
Tejinderpal Singh Toor (Shot Put)
One of India’s most decorated throwers, Tejinderpal Singh Toor, enters Glasgow with a season-best throw of 21.03m.
Surprisingly, Toor is yet to win a Commonwealth Games medal and will be eager to correct that. His biggest rivals are expected to be Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and England’s Scott Lincoln, both of whom have consistently thrown beyond 21 metres this season.
Seema Kaliramma (Discus Throw)
Three-time national champion Seema Kaliramma enters the Games as an outside medal contender.
Her best throw of 59.73m this season leaves her well behind Jamaica’s Samantha Hall, who has dominated the event with a 66.39m effort. However, the depth in the field is relatively thin, giving Seema a realistic shot at sneaking onto the podium if she produces her best performance.
Tejaswin Shankar (Decathlon)
Few Indian athletes have enjoyed a breakthrough quite like Tejaswin Shankar over the last year.Already one of India’s most accomplished jumpers, Tejaswin became the first Indian decathlete to cross the 8,000-point barrier, rewriting the country’s record books.
His all-round ability makes him one of India’s strongest medal prospects, with Nigeria’s Jami Schlueter expected to be his biggest challenger in the fight for gold.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Weightlifting has consistently delivered for India at the Commonwealth Games, and this edition should be no different.
Mirabai Chanu leads the squad once again and remains India’s biggest name in the sport.
Alongside her are Bindiyarani Devi, who won silver in Birmingham, and Harjinder Kaur, a bronze medallist from the last Games.
National champion M Raja returns after recovering from an elbow injury, while 20-year-old Ajaya Babu will make his Commonwealth Games debut after impressive performances in the domestic circuit.
Let’s take a look at major weightlifting medal prospects –
Mirabai Chanu (49kg)
Whenever Mirabai Chanu steps onto the Commonwealth platform, expectations follow.
The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist and former Commonwealth champion remains India’s biggest favourite for a gold medal. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Mirabai continues to be among the world’s elite and will be expected to dominate her category once again.
Bindyarani Devi
Bindyarani Devi has steadily established herself as one of India’s most reliable weightlifters.
After winning silver at the previous Commonwealth Games, she returns to Glasgow with another realistic opportunity of reaching the podium and could even challenge for gold if she produces lifts close to her personal best.
Nirupama Devi Seram
One of the emerging names in Indian weightlifting, Nirupama Devi Seram heads into her maiden Commonwealth Games with confidence after an impressive domestic season.
While she may not begin as the outright favourite, she has the ability to spring a surprise in the women’s 63kg division.
Gyaneshwari Yadav
Gyaneshwari Yadav has consistently improved over the last two seasons and enters the Commonwealth Games as one of India’s genuine medal contenders.
The 53kg lifter has shown she can compete with the continent’s best and will hope to convert that promise into a Commonwealth podium finish.
BOXING
India’s boxing squad has medal contenders across several weight divisions.
Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain leads the challenge.
She is joined by Jaismine Lamboria, who has come through the renowned Bhiwani boxing system, two-time youth champion Sakshi Chaudhary, Asian champion Preeti Pawar, and Priya Ghanghas, who has made an impressive start to her international career.
Arundhati Chaudhary fought her way back from a wrist fracture to win gold at the 2025 World Boxing Finals and heads to Glasgow with confidence.
On the men’s side, Jadumani Singh, fresh from an international gold medal, and Sachin Siwach add further medal possibilities.
Lovlina Borgohain
Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain remains India’s biggest name in boxing.
However, the Assam boxer has endured an inconsistent run since Paris and arrives in Glasgow looking to rediscover the form that made her one of the world’s best. If she does, a maiden Commonwealth Games medal is well within reach.
Jaismine Lamboria
Jaismine Lamboria enters the tournament as one of India’s strongest gold medal hopes.
The Haryana boxer has continued her steady rise through the international ranks and possesses the skill and temperament to finish on top of the podium.
Sachin Siwach
Sachin Siwach could well be India’s surprise package in Glasgow.
The youngster announced himself on the senior stage by winning gold in the men’s 60kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals. His dominant 5-0 victory over Paris Olympic silver medallist Munarbek Seitbek Uulu in the final proved that he belongs among the elite.
England’s William Hewitt and Canada’s Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh are expected to provide the toughest tests in his quest for another international title.
Nikhat Zareen
Nikhat Zareen has established herself as one of the finest women’s boxers in the world through her fearless approach and technical excellence. The multiple-time world champion has regularly excelled on the biggest stages and will be aiming to translate that success into a Commonwealth Games medal. She is widely expected to challenge for the top spot in her weight category.
JUDO
Tulika Maan won silver in Birmingham and returns with another opportunity to reach the podium.
She is joined by Olympian Avtar Singh, while Harsh Tokas is regarded as one of India’s brightest prospects in the 81kg category.
Tulika Maan
Tulika Maan enters the Commonwealth Games as India’s biggest hope in judo. After winning silver in Birmingham, she has continued to improve and will begin the tournament as one of the favourites to win gold in the women’s heavyweight category.
Avtar Singh and Harsh Tokas are also medal prospects among others.
Lawn Bowls
After lawn bowls gave India memorable moments in Birmingham, Putul Sonowal and Nayanmoni Saikia will carry the country’s hopes in Glasgow.
Putul Sonowal
Putul Sonowal will take on Canada’s Ryan Bester in the men’s singles Section D Round. Putul heads into the Games as one of India’s strongest medal hopes, having won gold in the men’s event at the 2026 Asian Lawn Bowls Championships. The Commonwealth Games also mark his debut appearance at the event.
Nayanmoni Saikia
Arjuna Awardee Nayanmoni Saikia has a decorated career with 2018 Gold Coast – Bronze (Women’s Pairs), 2022 Birmingham Gold (Women’s Fours), Asian Lawn Bowls Championship Gold (Women’s Triples, 2017), Gold (Team event, 2023), Silver (Pairs Olympics) and Bronze (Fours) (2025), 2 South Asian Games Gold x2 (Women’s Pairs & Fours, 2011 Dhaka). Her first CWG medal came at Gold Coast 2018, where she partnered Lovely Choubey to bronze in the women’s pairs, India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the sport. Now in Glasgow she will target more medals.
While India’s medal tally likely to decrease due to absence of their strong sports, the rest athletes will battle out to conquer medals and live up to the hopes of Indians.
