The 23rd Commonwealth Games are already in full swing in Glasgow, Scotland. The opening ceremony lit up the OVO Hydro on July 23, and the whole event runs through to August 2. For Indian fans, this edition feels a bit different-almost like we’re stepping into a slightly unfamiliar version of the Games. And honestly, that’s because we are.
After Victoria pulled out as the original host, Glasgow stepped in with a tight budget and a ruthlessly streamlined 10-sport format. Down from 19 sports in Birmingham two years ago, that’s a massive trimming. For India, it meant losing some of our most reliable medal machines-wrestling, badminton, shooting, hockey, table tennis, squash, and cricket all got the axe. Those sports alone contributed 28 of our 61 medals in Birmingham. So right off the bat, our India CWG medal tally expectations had to be recalibrated.
Despite the programme cuts, India has still sent a 125-member contingent-77 men and 48 women-competing across eight able-bodied disciplines and five para sports. It’s a smaller squad than the 210 athletes we sent in 2022, but it’s a tight group with some genuine star power. I love the age spread, too: 49-year-old lawn bowler Dinesh Kumar Singh is the veteran of the group, while 16-year-old para cyclist Lisha Das is just starting out. That’s a nice generational mix.
The Big Names We’re All Watching
Let’s start with the obvious. Neeraj Chopra’s javelin final on August 1 at Scotstoun Stadium is going to be must-watch television. He won gold at Gold Coast 2018, missed Birmingham with an injury, and now faces Pakistan’s Olympic and Commonwealth champion Arshad Nadeem in what’s being billed as one of the great rivalries. I’ll be honest, that head-to-head alone makes the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games worth tuning in for.
Then there’s Mirabai Chanu, our flagbearer and a two-time Commonwealth champion. She’s chasing her fourth CWG medal and a third straight gold in the 48kg weightlifting division. Her event falls on July 26. And Lovlina Borgohain, the Tokyo bronze medallist and former world champ, is carrying our boxing hopes and even served as baton bearer. She’s a serious podium threat.
Beyond the headliners, keep an eye on Murali Sreeshankar in long jump (he took silver in Birmingham), high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, distance runner Parul Chaudhary in the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m, shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, long-distance runner Gulveer Singh, and world champion boxer Jaismine Lamboria. Athletics is where our largest contingent is deployed, so that’s where the bulk of the medals should come from.
A Quick Look at the India at Commonwealth Games Schedule
The Games kicked off with lawn bowls on day one, but the real action started to ramp up quickly. Artistic gymnastics and boxing got going on the 24th, with swimming heats mixed in. The women’s team final in gymnastics was on the 25th, and then Mirabai Chanu took centre stage on the 26th. Athletics began on the 27th at Scotstoun Stadium, and that track will stay busy right through August 1, when Neeraj Chopra’s final takes the spotlight. The closing ceremony wraps things up on August 2.
In terms of where to catch all this, Sony Sports Network has the TV broadcast across multiple channels, with DD Sports and DD Free Dish offering a free-to-air option. Live streaming is on Sony LIV, and you can pick between English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada commentary. Pretty accessible.
Medal Predictions and the Reality Check
Because of the slashed programme, our India CWG medal tally is almost certainly going to be lower than Birmingham’s 61. But a haul in the 30–40 medal range, with 12 to 16 golds, would honestly be a solid result. Athletics, boxing, and weightlifting are the three pillars we’re leaning on.
Despite the smaller spread, India is still a good shout for a top-four finish behind the usual heavyweights like Australia and England. It’s not the same medal rush we’re used to, but it’s a more focused campaign.
A Few Betting Angles
For those looking at Commonwealth Games 2026 India markets, the obvious plays are Neeraj Chopra and Mirabai Chanu as top medal winners. The head-to-head between Chopra and Nadeem is a classic betting subplot. Overall medal totals in the 30-40 band look reasonable, and boxing has multiple podium prospects—Lovlina chief among them. With athletics being our biggest bet for medals, that’s where the value might lurk, especially in field events where Indian athletes have been quietly improving.
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The Bigger Picture
Glasgow 2026 might be a stripped-back Games, but it’s also a bridge to something bigger. Ahmedabad is set to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, so this is a learning experience for everyone involved. For India, it’s about seeing how our athletes adapt when the traditional medal events are taken away and the pressure lands on a different set of shoulders. Neeraj, Mirabai, Lovlina—they’re the proven ones. But I’m just as curious to see which young names step up and make us start googling their bios. That’s the beauty of a Games like this.
