The Golden Arm: Neeraj Chopra
All eyes will be on javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra, who returns to the Commonwealth Games after missing the 2022 edition due to injury. The two-time Olympic medallist has since become a World Champion and made history by crossing the elusive 90-metre
mark with a personal best of 90.23m in May 2025. Despite a recent injury lay-off, Chopra is back in action and remains India's biggest name in athletics. His presence alone is an inspiration, and he will be the favourite to reclaim the gold he won in 2018, though he'll face a stiff challenge from Pakistan's reigning champion, Arshad Nadeem.
Leading the Lift: Mirabai Chanu
In weightlifting, Mirabai Chanu stands as a pillar of consistency and excellence for India. The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist will be aiming for a historic third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold. Having won gold in both 2018 and 2022, the 32-year-old has been a dominant force in her category for nearly a decade. With several of India's other strong sports absent from the Glasgow schedule, Chanu's experience and proven ability to perform under pressure will be crucial as she leads a promising 12-member weightlifting squad.
Ringside Contenders: The Boxing Squad
India's boxing contingent is packed with talent capable of securing multiple podium finishes. The squad is spearheaded by Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain, who will be seeking her first-ever CWG medal. She is joined by a formidable group of pugilists, including two-time youth champion Sakshi Chaudhary and Asian champion Preeti Pawar. Nikhat Zareen, a two-time World Champion, also adds significant firepower. After a triumphant gold at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals, she has proven her ability to bounce back and will be a major threat in her category.
Leap of Faith: Athletics Dark Horses
Beyond Neeraj Chopra, India's athletics squad has serious depth. Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar is a strong contender, having won silver at the 2022 Games in Birmingham. After recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the Paris Olympics, he has returned to form with impressive jumps in domestic competitions. He is joined by other hopefuls like high jumper Sarvesh Kushare and decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, who have both shown medal-winning potential. This group has the credentials to ensure India's presence on the track and field podium is not limited to just the javelin event.
A Scaled-Down But Significant Stage
The 2026 Games in Glasgow are unique. After Victoria, Australia, withdrew as host, Glasgow stepped in to deliver a more compact event featuring 10 sports, down from 19 in 2022. This means powerhouse sports for India, such as wrestling, badminton, hockey, and table tennis, are not on the programme. These disciplines accounted for 30 of India's 61 medals in Birmingham. Consequently, the onus is on the athletes in athletics, boxing, and weightlifting to carry the nation's hopes. India will field a contingent of 125 athletes, and every medal won will be a testament to the country's versatile sporting talent.
