How many medals can India realistically win at Commonwealth Games 2026?

The Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held from July 23 to August 2.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 are just about to start. India have sent a total of 125 athletes to the games. They won 61 medals at the last edition in Birmingham, where a total of 210 Indian athletes participated.

However, they are unlikely to win the same or more medals in the upcoming edition, because only 10 sports are included in the Glasgow CWG.

During Birmingham 2022, India won the most medals in wrestling, 12. Out of the 12 medals, six were gold, one silver, and five bronze. Additionally, they picked up seven medals in table tennis and six in badminton. None of these three sports is part of the 2026 Glasgow Games, drastically reducing the side’s medal tally.

However, how many medals can the nation realistically win at the 2026 Commonwealth Games? Let’s take a look.

Lawn Bowls: 1 medal

During the 2022 Birmingham Games, India won two medals in lawn bowls. However, both medals came in the team events, which are not a part of the upcoming competition. With only singles and doubles events, India are expected to win at least one medal, most probably in the women’s doubles.

Judo: 4 medals

India have never been seen as a superpower in judo. However, they can actually win a few medals at the 2026 Glasgow Games. Tulika Maan and Asmita Dey are most likely to win the medals.

However, Inunganbi Takhellambam (women’s 70 kg) and Ishroop Narang (women’s 78 kg) could also emerge as medal contenders. India won three medals in Birmingham and are likely to improve their tally at the upcoming edition.

Athletics: 5 medals

Athletics is arguably the sport with the most representation at the Commonwealth Games. India have also sent a 32-member team for the sport, which will participate in 22 different disciplines.

Neeraj Chopra is the nation’s biggest hope for a medal, while Rohit Yadav can also put up a great performance. Sarvesh Kushare and Tejaswin Shankar can secure a podium finish in the high jump, while Sreeshankar Murali and Lokesh Satyanathan can do the same in the long jump.

Selva Prabhu and Praveen Chithravel will be the ones to watch in the triple jump. Parul Chaudhary and Gulveer Singh could also bring glory home, but they would have to give their best performances.

Weightlifting: 7 medals

The Indian weightlifting contingent won seven medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games, and they are likely to keep it level in Glasgow.

All eyes will be on Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu; however, the likes of Gyaneshwari Devi, Ajaya Babu, and Raja Muthupandi are also top medal contenders in their respective categories.

Boxing: 8 medals

In the absence of wrestling, boxing will serve India’s hopes for most medals from a single sport. World Champion Jaismine Lamboria and Tokyo Olympics medalist Lovlina Borgohain will lead the boxing team.

India will also commence their campaign in Glasgow as the highest-ranked nation as per the boxing ratings. Thus, boxing is a sport where the nation will go all in for the gold, courtesy of pugilists like Sakshi Chaudhary (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg).

Para Sports: 4 medals

Shubham Juyal and Shreyansh Trivedi will also be very crucial for India’s medal hopes. Meanwhile, Soman Rana and Dilip Mahadu Gavit can also secure a podium finish for the nation.

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