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.

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.

Sarvesh Kushare (high jump)

Sarvesh Kushare has enjoyed quietly One of the finest seasons by an Indian high jumper.

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.

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.

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.

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.

India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 team

Athletics (31)

Neeraj Chopra – Javelin throw

Tejaswin Shankar – Decathlon, high jump

Gurinderveer Singh – 100m

Animesh Kujur- 200m

Parul Chaudhary – 3000m steeplechase, 5000m

Srishankar Murali – Long Jump

Pooja Singh – High Jump

Manpreet Kaur – Shot Put

Seema Kaliramana – Discus Throw

Nidhi Rani – Discus Throw

Sarvesh Kushare – High Jump

Praveen Chitravel – Triple Jump

Selva Prabhu – Triple Jump

Lokesh Satyanathan – Long Jump

Raveena – Race Walk

Priyanka Goswami – Race Walk

Rashdeep Kaur – 400m

Neeru Pathak- 400m

Ansa Babu – 400m

Tejas Shirase – 110m hurdles

Yashas Palaksha – 400 meter hurdles

Santosh T – 400m hurdles

Dev Meena – Pole Vault

Kuldeep Kumar – Pole Vault

Rohit Yadav – Javelin throw

Yashvir Singh – Javelin Throw

Vishal TK – 400m

Rajesh Ramesh – 400m

Tajinderpal Singh Toor – Shot Put

Samardeep Singh Gill – Shot Put

Adarsh ​​Ram – High Jump

boxing (14)

women

Sakshi Choudhary – 51 kg

Preeti Pawar – 54 kg

Jasmine Lamboria – 57 kg

Priya Ghanghas – 60 kg

Parveen Hooda- 65 kg

Arundhati Chaudhary- 70 kg

Lovlina Borgohain – 75 kg

men

Jadumani Singh – 55 kg

Sachin Siwach- 60 kg

Aditya Pratap Singh- 65 kg

Sumit Kundu – 70 kg

Ankush- 80 kg

Kapil Pokharia – 90 kg

Narendra Berwal – +90 kg

Weightlifting (11)

Mirabai Chanu

Dnyaneshwari Devi

Bindiarani Devi

Harjinder Kaur

Sanjana

Martina Devi

Rishikant Singh

M Raja

Ajay Babu

Dilbagh Singh

Lovepreet Singh

Track Cycling (6)

ronaldo singh

David Beckham

Rojit Singh

Dinesh Kumar

jamesh singh

Harshveer Sekhon

swimming (5)

Anish Gowda

Sajan Prakash

Srihari Nataraja

Aryan Nehra

Darshan Shasikumar

Judo (13)

women

Asmit Dey – 48 kg

Shraddha Chopra – 52 kg

Yamini Maurya – 57 kg

Unnati Sharma- 63 kg

Inunganbi – 70 kg

Ishrup Narang – 78 kg

Paintbrush Value – +78 kg

men

Rohit- 66 kg

Arun Kumar – 73 kg

Harsh Tokas – 81 kg

Karanjit Singh Mann – 90 kg

Yash Ghangas – 100 kg

Avtar Singh – -100 kg

Lawn Bowls (6)

Pinki

Nayanmoni Saikia

Rupa Rani Tirkey

Dinesh Kumar

Navneet Singh

Putul Sonowal

Artistic gymnastics (8)

Pranati Nayak

Nishika Aggarwal

Ishita Rewale

Pratishtha Samanta

Tapan Mohanty

Satyajit Mandal

Tapasvera Nath

Swatish Cathari

Para Athletics (10)

Sharmila

Devendra Kumar

Rakeshbhai Bhatt

Dilip Gavit

-Shubham Juyal

Shilpa Shaila

Soman Rana

basil

Rakesh Shanmugam

Sagar Thatat

Para Powerlifting (8)

Shreyansh Trivedi

-Jaspreet Kaur

Suman Devi

Kasturi Rajmani

Paramjeet

Ashok Kumar

Jhandu Kumar

-Sudhir

para swimming (6)

Ravi Veera

Ali Imam

Suyash Jadhav

Swastik Patil

Chaitanya Kulkarni

Tejas Nandkumar

Wheelchair Basketball (Women) (4)

Reena Gupta

Rita Chanu

Meenakshi Jadhav

Lakshmi Rayappa

Para Cycling (1)

Lisha Das

– ends