With the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2026 fast approaching, the Indian team arrives at the multi-sport competition carrying heavy expectations. India has demonstrated unprecedented success at previous Commonwealth Games, bringing together various sports personalities who will assist in winning medals in events like athletics, shooting, boxing, and weightlifting, among many others.
Over the years, the Commonwealth Games have been an amazing avenue for sportspeople to gain powerful experience against top athletes from all over the world. Additionally, the Games serve as a crucial launchpad to the Olympic Games in the near future.
From Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra to talented shooter Mirabai Chanu, India has many athletes who are expected to do equally well on the podium in the upcoming Games.
Neeraj Chopra eyes Commonwealth Games Crown Again
The leader of India's athletics team is javelin athlete Neeraj Chopra, who is returning to the Commonwealth Games after winning gold in Gold Coast 2018. The Olympic and World Champion has come back from injury due to training in Switzerland and is heading to Glasgow as the favourite of the event in the men's javelin throw category.
Chopra has made several throws of over 90m in the previous seasons and will carry the hopes of the Indian athletics team on his shoulders.
Mirabai Chanu Remains India's Weightlifting Queen
Mirabai Chanu, the silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, remains India's best bet for winning gold in weightlifting. Chanu is an accomplished lifter and an experienced competitor, now serving as one of India's flag bearers. She has a stellar record of achievements in the Commonwealth Games.
In addition to this, India has many other medal contenders, among them Bindyarani Devi and Harjinder Kaur, who have been consistently performing well in international competitions.
Lovlina Borgohain Leads India's Boxing Squad
Lovlina Borgohain, world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, is India's greatest hope for a medal at the women's 75 kg event at the upcoming Games.
The Indian boxing contingent, comprising a total of 14 members, includes several potential medalists like Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, and Narender Berwal.
Murali Sreeshankar and Tajinderpal Singh Toor Favourites
The long jumper Murali Sreeshankar has matured into one of the most stable of performers on the world stage. He has often crossed the eight-metre distance and aims to convert this consistent performance into a medal during the Commonwealth Games.
On the other hand, the shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor has found his form after recovering from an injury. The Asian champion has thrown the shot put over 21 metres several times this season, making him one of the top contenders in India in this sport.
Other Indian athletes Who Could Win Medals
Apart from the headline stars, India has several athletes capable of reaching the podium:
- Parul Chaudhary – Women's 3000m steeplechase and 5000m
- Priyanka Goswami – Women's 10,000m race walk
- Gulveer Singh – Men's 5,000m and 10,000m
- Praveen Chithravel – Men's triple jump
- Tejaswin Shankar – Decathlon and high jump
- Rohit Yadav – Men's javelin throw
- Pranati Nayak – Artistic gymnastics
- Tulika Maan – Judo
- Srihari Nataraj – Swimming
- Sajan Prakash – Swimming
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India Name A Strong squad In Commonwealth Games 2026
India has declared a big team of players with athletes from sports like athletics, boxing, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls, swimming, cycling, weightlifting, and para sports.
The athletics team will be headed by Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Gulveer Singh and Priyanka Goswami, while in the boxing team, Lovlina Borgohain will be the leader. The weightlifting team includes Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu, Bindyarani Devi, and Harjinder Kaur.
The country has also named strong squads in para athletics, para powerlifting, para swimming and wheelchair basketball, highlighting India's growing depth across multiple disciplines.
With Olympic champions, world medallists and rising young talents all part of the contingent, India will be aiming for another successful Commonwealth Games campaign and to add significantly to its rich medal tally on the global stage.