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

India have sent a 126-member strong squad for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Who are India's favourites to medal in the competition? Let's have a look.Will Neeraj Chopra return to the podium in CWG 2026? (Courtesy: PTI)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.ATHLETICSNeeraj 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. Neeraj Chopra with Rumesh Tharanga. (Reuters Photo) 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. Murali Sreeshankar is expected to medal. (Reuters Photo) 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. Tejinderpal Singh Toor is yet to win a Commonwealth Games medal. (Reuters Photo) 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. Tejaswin Shankar will be one of India's brightest medal prospects in the competition. (Reuters Photo) WEIGHTLIFTINGMirabai 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. Mirabai Chanu is the out and out favourite to win gold in CWG. (PTI Photo) 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.BOXINGLovlina 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.JUDOTulika MaanTulika 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 SQUADAthletics (31)Neeraj Chopra – Javelin ThrowTejaswin Shankar – Decathlon, High JumpGurindervir Singh – 100mAnimesh Kujur – 200mParul Chaudhary – 3000m Steeplechase, 5000mSreeshankar Murali – Long JumpPooja Singh – High JumpManpreet Kaur – Shot PutSeema Kaliramna – Discus ThrowNidhi Rani – Discus ThrowSarvesh Kushare – High JumpPraveen Chithravel – Triple JumpSelva Prabhu – Triple JumpLokesh Satyanathan – Long JumpRavina – Race WalkPriyanka Goswami – Race WalkRashdeep Kaur – 400mNeeru Pathak – 400mAnsa Babu – 400mTejas Shirse – 110m HurdlesYashas Palaksha – 400m HurdlesSanthosh T – 400m HurdlesDev Meena – Pole VaultKuldeep Kumar – Pole VaultRohit Yadav – Javelin ThrowYashvir Singh – Javelin ThrowVishal TK – 400mRajesh Ramesh – 400mTajinderpal Singh Toor – Shot PutSamardeep Singh Gill – Shot PutAadarsh Ram – High JumpBoxing (14)WomenSakshi Chaudhary – 51kgPreeti Pawar – 54kgJaismine Lamboria – 57kgPriya Ghanghas – 60kgParveen Hooda – 65kgArundhati Chaudhary – 70kgLovlina Borgohain – 75kgMenJadumani Singh – 55kgSachin Siwach – 60kgAditya Pratap Singh – 65kgSumit Kundu – 70kgAnkush – 80kgKapil Pokhriya – 90kgNarender Berwal – +90kgWeightlifting (11)Mirabai ChanuGyaneshwari DeviBindiyarani DeviHarjinder KaurSanjanaMartina DeviRishikanta SinghM RajaAjaya BabuDilbag SinghLovepreet SinghTrack Cycling (6)Ronaldo SinghDavid BeckhamRojit SinghDinesh KumarJemesh SinghHarshveer SekhonSwimming (5)Aneesh GowdaSajan PrakashSrihari NatarajAryan NehraDharshan ShashikumarJudo (13)WomenAsmit Dey – 48kgShharadha Chopade – 52kgYamini Mourya – 57kgUnnati Sharma – 63kgInunganbi – 70kgIshroop Narang – 78kgTulika Maan – +78kgMenRohit – 66kgArun Kumar – 73kgHarsh Tokas – 81kgKaranjit Singh Maan – 90kgYash Ghangas – 100kgAvtar Singh – -100kgLawn Bowls (6)PinkiNayanmoni SaikiaRupa Rani TirkeyDinesh KumarNavneet SinghPutul SonowalArtistic Gymnastics (8)Prannati NayakNishika AgarwalEshita RewaleProtistha SamantaTapan MohantySatyajit MondalTapaswera NathSwatish KaitheriPara Athletics (10)SharmilaDevender KumarRakeshbhai BhattDilip GavitShubham JuyalShilpa ShylaSoman RanaBasilRakesh ShanmugamSagar ThyatPara Powerlifting (8)Shreyansh TrivediJaspreet KaurSuman DeviKasthuri RajamaniParamjeetAshok KumarJhandu KumarSudhirPara Swimming (6)Ravi VeeraAli ImamSuyash JadhavSwastik PatilChaitanya KulkarniTejas NandkumarWheelchair Basketball (Women) (4)Reena GuptaRita ChanuMinakshi JadhavLakshmi RayappaPara Cycling (1)Lisha Das- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Jul 22, 2026 21:38 IST