India suffered a major blow just hours before the start of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow when judoka Arun Kumar was ruled out of the competition after an adverse analytical finding (AAF) was reported following a doping test.
As a result, Arun has been ruled out of the men’s 73 kg event at this year’s judo competition after being deemed ineligible.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) served a notice on Wednesday, following which Arun’s name was removed from the sports entry system of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. After the AAF was informed, the International Judo Federation (IJF) informed the organisers, while the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was also informed about the development.
“Glasgow 2026 has received confirmation from the International Judo Federation that Arun Kumar is not eligible to compete at Glasgow 2026. As a result, he will be removed from the sport entry system,” Alice Anderson wrote on behalf of organisers.
No replacement for Arun
Judo Federation of India president Mukesh Kumar said he had high expectations from Arun during the Games and added that he would not be able to name a replacement before the start of the competition on Thursday, as the medal competitions would begin on Friday.
Kumar told The Tribune on Thursday, “His notice has come only yesterday which says he has to send his reply in 15 days. We will give him time but as per the rules, he cannot compete. We cannot replace anyone in such a short time. It is unfortunate because we had big expectations from Arun.”
Matthew Potts of Sunrisers Leeds reacts after MI London wins the Hundred men’s match between MI London and Sunrisers Leeds at The Kia Oval on July 21, 2026 in London, England.
TimesofIndia.com in London: Cricket summer continues in England. The men played three Tests against New Zealand and five T20Is and three ODIs against India. As far as the women were concerned, it was the T20 World Cup and the one-off Test between India and England. And now, it’s the turn of The Hundred, which started on July 21.The unique 100-ball innings tournament The Hundred is back with its sixth edition. A lot has changed, yet a lot has not changed. It still has eight teams, still features 100-ball innings where bowlers can bowl consecutive spells of five or 10 balls, and it still aims to speed up the game and feature double headers – men’s and women’s – on the same day.On the first day, defending men’s champions MI London defeated Sunrisers Leeds at The Oval. In the first game of the day, Sunrisers defeated MI London by 7 wickets in the women’s competition. A day later, in Southampton, Southern Brave Women won by a narrow margin over Welsh Fire. And later in the day the result of the men’s match was reversed.What has changed is the ownership, team names and kit designs. Following a £520 million influx into The Hundred, the Ambani family acquired the Oval Invincibles (now renamed MI London), the Sun Group bought Northern Superchargers (now Sunrisers Leeds), and the RPSG Group bought Manchester Originals (now Manchester Super Giants). Delhi Capitals co-owner GMR Group has picked up a 49% stake in Southern Brave.On the opening day of the season at the Oval, the mood was as relaxed as could be expected at this time of year. The sun was out, and it was a pleasant day, far from the scorching heat that this country had seen in the past few months. Even though it was a weekday, families were out in droves, allowing you to make the most of the many entry points to this cricket stadium in Kennington.A venue which has seen the hosts suffer three consecutive Test defeats. Exactly a month ago, it was here that New Zealand had defeated England by 253 runs. And about a year ago, it was here that Mohammad Siraj bowled brilliantly and helped India win the series by just 6 runs.But now, on Tuesday, The Hundred begins, and the discussion was equally about cricket, family and entertainment. A father walked around holding the hands of his two children and asked a manager for assistance in finding the “family section.” Unlike international cricket, where tickets sell for £100 or more, The Hundred hopes to attract the masses with reasonable prices.Tickets for children under two are free, tickets for children aged 3-15 cost £5, and tickets for adults start at £14. So, an entire young family can watch two consecutive cricket matches of about five hours or more for £30-40.To unwind after a long day at work, numerous food carts, kiosks and beverage stalls came to the rescue. From Middle Eastern to fast food to Indian, everything was available to suit the customers’ tastes. To mitigate this there are soft drinks, beer, cocktails and a range of other non-alcoholic beverages. Most importantly, perhaps, ice creams in different flavors and styles are what the youth ask for.There is a huge difference in the quality of the atmosphere between the Indian Premier League, a mature cricket league, and The Hundred, which is still finding its feet. Now that The Hundred has been invested in by IPL franchises and Indian conglomerates, the way forward is only way forward, helped largely by a family-oriented approach.
As student protests gain momentum in New Delhi, Novak Djokovic’s support for Serbia’s student movement has once again come into focus. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was one of the most prominent public figures to stand with Serbian students since nationwide demonstrations following the deadly Novi Sad railway station tragedy in November 2024.
The movement began after a concrete canopy collapsed on the newly renovated Novi Sad railway station on November 1, 2024, killing 16 people. The incident sparked public outrage and students accused the government of corruption, negligence and lack of transparency. What began as anger over the tragedy soon turned into a nationwide movement demanding accountability, and Djokovic emerged as one of its most recognizable supporters.
Speaking for the first time in December 2024, he said that Serbia’s educated youth represent the country’s greatest strength and deserve to be heard.
A month later, during the Australian Open, Djokovic again put his weight behind the movement. After one of her wins, she wrote “For Sonja” on the camera lens in support of student Sonja Ponjavić, who was seriously injured after being hit by a car during a protest. Making his sentiment clear, Djokovic said that he stands with the students fighting for a better future and cannot remain silent about what is happening in his country.
His support did not stop here. In the months that followed, Djokovic attended a basketball derby in Belgrade wearing a hoodie bearing the slogan “Students are champions”, a phrase closely linked to the protests. In March, he and his wife Jelena led a student rally described as “historic” that was attended by more than 100,000 people, giving further strength to a movement that had been gaining momentum.
Djokovic also found himself at the center of conversation during Wimbledon 2025. His now-famous goal celebration was widely interpreted as an allusion to the protesters’ “Pampaz” slogan, although he later insisted that it was merely a celebration he shared with his children and was not intended as a political message. However, his comments ahead of the US Open left no room for doubt.
Warning that Serbia is “literally on the brink of civil war”, Djokovic spoke openly about rising political tensions in the country. Later that year, she also expressed support for Dijana Hrka, whose son died in the Novi Sad station collapse, after she began a hunger strike outside parliament demanding accountability.
His repeated support for the student movement came at a cost. Pro-government tabloids and media outlets, many of which had once celebrated him as Serbia’s greatest sporting icon, turned against him.
A mural of Djokovic was vandalized in Belgrade, while he later moved his family to Greece amid rising political tensions and continued criticism from pro-government media. Despite the criticism, Djokovic never distanced himself from the students or their calls for accountability.
Throughout the protests, Djokovic was careful to avoid associating himself with any political party. Instead, he consistently said that students have every right to protest peacefully and demand answers from those in power.
His comments and actions have drawn renewed attention as India sees its own wave of student protests. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks and concerns over the evaluation system.
The protests began last month following allegations of leaks in the medical entrance exam, an issue that affected nearly two million candidates. Protests intensified this week as thousands of students marched towards Parliament in New Delhi. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the protesters, leaving several people injured.
The movement has since spread beyond the national capital. Students have also protested in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Goa, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Jammu and Ahmedabad to maintain pressure on the government as demands for accountability continue to grow.
The Commonwealth Games 2026 begin in Glasgow on July 23, but it will be unlike any edition of the multi-sport event in recent memory.
Originally awarded to the Australian state of Victoria, the Games were left without a host after the project was abandoned due to rising costs. Glasgow eventually stepped in to save the event, but with a major compromise. Instead of the usual full-scale programme, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will feature only 10 sports, covering a range of disciplines including hockey, badminton, shooting and wrestling to keep the event financially viable.
The truncated schedule has significantly changed India’s medal prospects. After winning 61 medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games, India leaves for Glasgow with 126-member contingentThe event is being considered an important step towards the Asian Games to be held in Japan just two months later.
Indian Athletics Federation senior vice-president Anju Bobby George has said that she expects India to return with around 30 medals, almost half of the country’s tally from Birmingham.
So, who are India’s biggest medal hopes at the Commonwealth Games 2026? Here’s a look at the athletes most likely to stand on the podium.
Exercise
Neeraj Chopra (javelin throw)
There is no bigger name than Neeraj Chopra in India’s Commonwealth Games contingent. After missing the Birmingham Games through injury, the Olympic champion returns with another opportunity to add to his Gold Coast 2018 title.
Neeraj returned to competition this season after recovering from injury and has maintained consistent momentum with a best throw of 85.69 metres. Although this is below his personal best, the hope is that he will peak at the right time in Glasgow.
The Indian will have to overcome the likes of Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga, Grenada’s Anderson Peters, compatriot Rohit Yadav, South Africa’s Douw Smit and possibly the likes of the likes. Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad NadeemIt depends on how the defending champion turns out.
Neeraj Chopra with Rumesh Tharanga. (Reuters photo)
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 entered the race for a real gold medal with a career-best throw of 87.05 meters in June. With high confidence and improving consistency, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of India’s strongest medal hopes.
Murali Sreeshankar (long jump)
Murali Sreeshankar has made a spectacular comeback from a career-threatening patellar tendon injury and heads to Glasgow in great form.
The long jumper has already cleared 8.38m this season, slightly ahead of Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, who has cleared 8.37m. If Sreeshankar can repeat the same form that day, India may get another Commonwealth champion.
Medal is expected from Murali Srishankar. (Reuters photo)
The Maharashtra athlete finally cleared the 2.30m barrier this year, a mark that has taken him to fourth in the world rankings. His consistency has transformed him from an outsider to a genuine gold medal contender.
The biggest challenge is expected to come from Britain’s Kimani Jack, who is currently ranked third on the world leaderboard.
Praveen Chitravel (Triple Jump)
National record holder Praveen Chitravel remains India’s main hope in the triple jump.
After setting a national record of 17.37m in 2025, Praveen has achieved a season’s best of 17.08m at the Inter-State Championships in Ranchi this year.
Jamaica’s Jordan Scott, who has jumped 17.69m this season, starts as a favorite for gold. Praveen is likely to compete with Kenya’s Kevin Kemboi (17.00m) for the remaining podium spot.
Tejinderpal Singh Toor (shot put)
Tejinderpal Singh Toor, one of India’s finest throwers, enters Glasgow with a season’s best throw of 21.03m.
Surprisingly, Toor is yet to win a Commonwealth Games medal and he will be keen to improve that. His biggest rivals are expected to be Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and England’s Scott Lincoln, both of whom have consistently thrown over 21 meters this season.
Tejinderpal Singh Toor has not yet won a medal in the Commonwealth Games. (Reuters photo)
Seema Kaliramma (discus throw)
Three-time national champion Seema Kaliramma is entering the Games as an outside medal contender.
Her best throw of 59.73m this season is well behind Jamaica’s Samantha Hall, who has dominated the event with an effort of 66.39m. Although the depth in the field is relatively low, Seema has a realistic chance of reaching the podium if she performs at her best.
Tejaswin Shankar (Decathlon)
Few Indian athletes have enjoyed the same success as Tejaswin Shankar in the past 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 the strong medal prospects for India, while Nigeria’s Jami Schlueter is considered to be his biggest challenge in the fight for the gold.
Tejaswin Shankar will be one of India’s brightest medal prospects in the competition. (Reuters photo)
weight lifting
Mirabai Chanu (49 kg)
Whenever Mirabai Chanu steps on the Commonwealth stage, expectations rise.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and former Commonwealth champion remains India’s biggest favorite for the gold medal. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Mirabai remains among the top players in the world and will be expected to dominate her category once again.
Mirabai Chanu is a strong contender to win gold in the Commonwealth Games. (PTI photo)
Bindyarani Devi (58 kg)
Bindyarani Devi has consistently established herself as one of India’s most reliable weightlifters.
Having won silver at the last Commonwealth Games, she returns to Glasgow with a more realistic chance of reaching the podium and could even challenge for gold if she lifts close to her personal best.
Nirupama Devi Serum (63 kg)
One of the rising names in Indian weightlifting, Nirupama Devi Seram is heading into her maiden Commonwealth Games with confidence after an impressive domestic season.
Although she may not start as an outright favourite, she has the potential to surprise in the women’s 63kg category.
Dnyaneshwari Yadav (53 kg)
Dnyaneshwari Yadav has improved steadily 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 best on the continent and she will hope to translate that promise into a Commonwealth podium finish.
boxing
Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg)
Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain remains India’s biggest name in boxing.
However, the Assam boxer has suffered inconsistent performances since Paris and has arrived in Glasgow looking to rediscover the form that has made her one of the best boxers in the world. If she does so, her first Commonwealth Games medal is within her reach.
Jasmine Lamboria (57 kg)
Jasmine Lamboria enters the tournament as one of India’s strongest gold medal hopes.
The boxer from Haryana has continued her steady rise at the international level and has the skill and temperament to be on the top of the podium.
Sachin Siwach (60 kg)
Sachin Siwach could be a surprise package for India in Glasgow.
The youngster made his presence felt on the senior stage by winning gold in the men’s 60kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Final. His impressive 5–0 victory over Paris Olympics silver medalist Munarbek Sitbek Ulu in the final proved he belonged among the elite.
England’s William Hewitt and Canada’s Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadih are expected to provide the toughest tests in their quest for another international title.
Judo
paintbrush value
Tulika Mann is entering the Commonwealth Games as India’s biggest hope in judo. After winning a silver medal in Birmingham, she has continued to improve and will start the tournament as one of the favorites to win gold in the women’s heavyweight category.
Avtar Singh and Harsh Tokas, among others, are also medal prospects.
