New Delhi, July 22: India's chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand believes the country must keep its medal expectations realistic for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, especially after badminton and several other key medal fetching sports' exclusion from the curtailed competition in Glasgow.
Badminton has been one of India's most reliable sources of medals at the Games, and its absence is expected to dent the country's prospects of adding significantly to its overall tally.
The CWG have long been a happy hunting ground for Indian badminton players. Over the years, stars such as Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Parupalli Kashyap, PV Sindhu, and Lakshya Sen have delivered memorable performances, helping India establish itself as a major force in the sport.
Medals in singles, doubles and team competitions have become a regular feature of India's campaign at the Games. However, Glasgow 2026 will present a different picture. With organisers opting for a smaller programme due to budget and venue limitations, badminton has been left out despite its popularity among fans across the Commonwealth.
The decision has disappointed many within the Indian badminton community, including chief national coach Pullela Gopichand, who admitted that the sport's absence came as a surprise.
In an interaction facilitated by Sports Authority of India (SAI) ahead of the CWG 2026, Gopichand said, "For us, and I think for the badminton fraternity as a whole, the Commonwealth Games have always been an important event. The absence of badminton from this edition in Glasgow came as quite a shock to us. Of course, that decision has already been made for this edition, but we are hopeful that badminton will return when Ahmedabad hosts the Games (in 2030). "
Ahmedabad has already been confirmed as the host city for the Commonwealth Games 2030, giving Indian badminton officials and players reason to believe the sport could make a comeback on the programme.
India's recent rise in world badminton has strengthened the case for the sport's inclusion. The country now boasts a deep pool of talent and consistently produces players capable of competing for international honours.
Highlighting India's growing strength in badminton, Gopichand said: "India has traditionally performed well in badminton at the Commonwealth Games, and Indian players are stronger than ever. As a result, we expect to win medals in the sport as well. "
Beyond India's success, Gopichand also pointed to badminton's global appeal and its ability to attract audiences from different age groups and nations.
"Badminton is also a popular spectator sport that appeals to people across a wide range of age groups and countries. For that reason, we believe it is a valuable addition to the Commonwealth Games. That is our view, and I hope the Commonwealth Games Committee considers this perspective and includes badminton in future editions of the Games. "
The exclusion means that several of India's leading shuttlers will miss the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest multi-sport stages in the world. It also removes a sport that has consistently contributed to India's medal count over the years.
Despite the disappointment, Indian badminton remains focused on the future as India hosts BWF World Championships in August and the Asian Games 2026, scheduled for late September. With Ahmedabad set to host the CWG 2030, hopes are high that badminton will return to the programme and once again provide Indian players with an opportunity to showcase their talent before home fans.
Reiterating the sport's importance to India and the Commonwealth Games, Gopichand added, "We definitely want badminton to be part of the Commonwealth Games, especially since the event will be held in Ahmedabad. "
