Who are India's top medal contenders in Commonwealth Games?

The Commonwealth Games 2026 gets underway in Glasgow on July 23, but this will be unlike any edition of the multi-sport event in recent memory.

Originally awarded to Australia's Victoria state, the Games were left without a host after the project was abandoned due to soaring 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, with several disciplines, including hockey, badminton, shooting and wrestling, dropped to keep the event financially viable.

The reduced programme has significantly altered India's medal prospects. After winning 61 medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games, India heads to Glasgow with a 126-member contingent, treating the event as an important stepping stone towards the Asian Games in Japan just two months later.

Athletics Federation of India senior vice-president Anju Bobby George has said she expects India to return with around 30 medals, roughly 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.

ATHLETICS

Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)

There is no bigger name in India's Commonwealth Games contingent than Neeraj Chopra. After missing the Birmingham Games through injury, the Olympic champion returns with another opportunity to add to his Gold Coast 2018 title.

Neeraj only returned to competition this season after recovering from injury and has steadily built rhythm, with a best throw of 85.69m. While that is below his personal best, the expectation is that he will peak at the right time in Glasgow.

The Indian will have to overcome a stacked field featuring Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga, Grenada's Anderson Peters, compatriot Rohit Yadav, South Africa's Douw Smit and, potentially, Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, depending on how the defending champion turns up.

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 produced a career-best throw of 87.05m in June to move into genuine gold medal contention. With confidence high and consistency improving, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of India's strongest medal hopes.

Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump)

Murali Sreeshankar has made a remarkable return after a career-threatening patellar tendon injury and heads to Glasgow in excellent form.

The long jumper has already cleared 8.38m this season, marginally ahead of Jamaica's Tajay Gayle, who has managed 8.37m. If Sreeshankar can reproduce that form on the day, India could well have another Commonwealth champion.

Sarvesh Kushare (High Jump)

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

The Maharashtra athlete finally breached the elusive 2.30m barrier this year, a mark that has propelled him to fourth in the world rankings. His consistency has turned him from an outsider into a genuine gold medal contender.

The biggest challenge is expected to come from Britain's Kimani Jack, who currently sits third on the world leaderboard.

Praveen Chithravel (Triple Jump)

National record holder Praveen Chithravel continues to be India's leading hope in the triple jump.

After setting the national record of 17.37m in 2025, Praveen has managed a season-best of 17.08m this year, achieved at the Inter-State Championships in Ranchi.

Jamaica's Jordan Scott, who has leapt 17.69m this season, starts as the overwhelming favourite for gold. Praveen is likely to battle Kenya's Kevin Kemboi (17.00m) for the remaining podium places.

Tejinderpal Singh Toor (Shot Put)

One of India's most decorated throwers, Tejinderpal Singh Toor, enters Glasgow with a season-best throw of 21.03m.

Surprisingly, Toor is yet to win a Commonwealth Games medal and will be eager to correct that. His biggest rivals are expected to be Nigeria's Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and England's Scott Lincoln, both of whom have consistently thrown beyond 21 metres this season.

Seema Kaliramma (Discus Throw)

Three-time national champion Seema Kaliramma enters the Games as an outside medal contender.

Her best throw of 59.73m this season leaves her well behind Jamaica's Samantha Hall, who has dominated the event with a 66.39m effort. However, the depth in the field is relatively thin, giving Seema a realistic shot at sneaking onto the podium if she produces her best performance.

Tejaswin Shankar (Decathlon)

Few Indian athletes have enjoyed a breakthrough quite like Tejaswin Shankar over the last 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 India's strongest medal prospects, with Nigeria's Jami Schlueter expected to be his biggest challenger in the fight for gold.

WEIGHTLIFTING

Mirabai Chanu (49kg)

Whenever Mirabai Chanu steps onto the Commonwealth platform, expectations follow.

The Tokyo Olympic silver medallist and former Commonwealth champion remains India's biggest favourite for a gold medal. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, Mirabai continues to be among the world's elite and will be expected to dominate her category once again.

Bindyarani Devi (58kg)

Bindyarani Devi has steadily established herself as one of India's most reliable weightlifters.

After winning silver at the previous Commonwealth Games, she returns to Glasgow with another realistic opportunity of reaching the podium and could even challenge for gold if she produces lifts close to her personal best.

Nirupama Devi Seram (63kg)

One of the emerging names in Indian weightlifting, Nirupama Devi Seram heads into her maiden Commonwealth Games with confidence after an impressive domestic season.

While she may not begin as the outright favourite, she has the ability to spring a surprise in the women's 63kg division.

Gyaneshwari Yadav (53kg)

Gyaneshwari Yadav has consistently improved 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 continent's best and will hope to convert that promise into a Commonwealth podium finish.

BOXING

Lovlina Borgohain (75kg)

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain remains India's biggest name in boxing.

However, the Assam boxer has endured an inconsistent run since Paris and arrives in Glasgow looking to rediscover the form that made her one of the world's best. If she does, a maiden Commonwealth Games medal is well within reach.

Jaismine Lamboria (57kg)

Jaismine Lamboria enters the tournament as one of India's strongest gold medal hopes.

The Haryana boxer has continued her steady rise through the international ranks and possesses the skill and temperament to finish on top of the podium.

Sachin Siwach (60kg)

Sachin Siwach could well be India's surprise package in Glasgow.

The youngster announced himself on the senior stage by winning gold in the men's 60kg category at the 2025 World Boxing Cup Finals. His dominant 5-0 victory over Paris Olympic silver medallist Munarbek Seitbek Uulu in the final proved that he belongs among the elite.

England's William Hewitt and Canada's Keoma-Ali Al-Ahmadieh are expected to provide the toughest tests in his quest for another international title.

JUDO

Tulika Maan

Tulika Maan enters the Commonwealth Games as India's biggest hope in judo. After winning silver in Birmingham, she has continued to improve and will begin the tournament as one of the favourites to win gold in the women's heavyweight category.

Avtar Singh and Harsh Tokas are also medal prospects among others.

INDIA'S COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2026 SQUAD

Athletics (31)

Neeraj Chopra – Javelin Throw

Tejaswin Shankar – Decathlon, High Jump

Gurindervir Singh – 100m

Animesh Kujur – 200m

Parul Chaudhary – 3000m Steeplechase, 5000m

Sreeshankar Murali – Long Jump

Pooja Singh – High Jump

Manpreet Kaur – Shot Put

Seema Kaliramna – Discus Throw

Nidhi Rani – Discus Throw

Sarvesh Kushare – High Jump

Praveen Chithravel – Triple Jump

Selva Prabhu – Triple Jump

Lokesh Satyanathan – Long Jump

Ravina – Race Walk

Priyanka Goswami – Race Walk

Rashdeep Kaur – 400m

Neeru Pathak – 400m

Ansa Babu – 400m

Tejas Shirse – 110m Hurdles

Yashas Palaksha – 400m Hurdles

Santhosh 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

Aadarsh Ram – High Jump

Boxing (14)

Women

Sakshi Chaudhary – 51kg

Preeti Pawar – 54kg

Jaismine Lamboria – 57kg

Priya Ghanghas – 60kg

Parveen Hooda – 65kg

Arundhati Chaudhary – 70kg

Lovlina Borgohain – 75kg

Men

Jadumani Singh – 55kg

Sachin Siwach – 60kg

Aditya Pratap Singh – 65kg

Sumit Kundu – 70kg

Ankush – 80kg

Kapil Pokhriya – 90kg

Narender Berwal – +90kg

Weightlifting (11)

Mirabai Chanu

Gyaneshwari Devi

Bindiyarani Devi

Harjinder Kaur

Sanjana

Martina Devi

Rishikanta Singh

M Raja

Ajaya Babu

Dilbag Singh

Lovepreet Singh

Track Cycling (6)

Ronaldo Singh

David Beckham

Rojit Singh

Dinesh Kumar

Jemesh Singh

Harshveer Sekhon

Swimming (5)

Aneesh Gowda

Sajan Prakash

Srihari Nataraj

Aryan Nehra

Dharshan Shashikumar

Judo (13)

Women

Asmit Dey – 48kg

Shharadha Chopade – 52kg

Yamini Mourya – 57kg

Unnati Sharma – 63kg

Inunganbi – 70kg

Ishroop Narang – 78kg

Tulika Maan – +78kg

Men

Rohit – 66kg

Arun Kumar – 73kg

Harsh Tokas – 81kg

Karanjit Singh Maan – 90kg

Yash Ghangas – 100kg

Avtar Singh – -100kg

Lawn Bowls (6)

Pinki

Nayanmoni Saikia

Rupa Rani Tirkey

Dinesh Kumar

Navneet Singh

Putul Sonowal

Artistic Gymnastics (8)

Prannati Nayak

Nishika Agarwal

Eshita Rewale

Protistha Samanta

Tapan Mohanty

Satyajit Mondal

Tapaswera Nath

Swatish Kaitheri

Para Athletics (10)

Sharmila

Devender Kumar

Rakeshbhai Bhatt

Dilip Gavit

Shubham Juyal

Shilpa Shyla

Soman Rana

Basil

Rakesh Shanmugam

Sagar Thyat

Para Powerlifting (8)

Shreyansh Trivedi

Jaspreet Kaur

Suman Devi

Kasthuri Rajamani

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

Minakshi Jadhav

Lakshmi Rayappa

Para Cycling (1)

Lisha Das