Top five Indian debutants who are favourites to win medals at Commonwealth Games 2026

The next generation stars are ready for Glasgow 2026.

The Indian athletes are preparing for the Commonwealth Games 2026. The event will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2. Spectators can enjoy a host of thrilling matches during this 10-day multi-sport tournament.

The Indian contingent has 125 athletes and will compete in 13 sporting events, including five para sports, during the 10-day tournament.

This Indian contingent combines experienced athletes and up-and-coming talent, including Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Jaismine Lamboria, who will aim for more medals. At the same time, Indian debutants such as Sarvesh Kushare, Gyaneshwari Yadav, and Preeti Pawar will aim for a strong start and their first medals at the Commonwealth Games.

So, let’s look at some Indian debutants considered medal contenders at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow:

Indian debutants who are favourites to win medals at Glasgow CWG

Sarvesh Kushare – High Jump

Sarvesh Kushare has been in sublime form over the last year, finishing in the top six at the World Championships and becoming the first Indian to clear 2.30m.

He also became the joint-best high jumper among Commonwealth countries this year, level with England’s Kimani Jack at 2.31m.

Along with New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr, this duo are the favourites to finish on the podium in the upcoming edition. If Sarvesh produces his best performance, he might also contend for gold.

Preeti Pawar – Boxing

Paris Olympian and defending Asian champion Preeti Pawar will compete in her first Commonwealth Games in the women’s 54kg category.

She will enter the tournament as the favourite for gold, as she is the only boxer ranked in the top 10 in the latest World Boxing rankings. She will face a tough challenge from England’s Lauren Mackie, who is ranked 19th and won a bronze medal at this year’s World Cup.

Gyaneshwari Yadav – Weightlifting

She is considered one of the upcoming talents in Indian weightlifting, earning that reputation through consistent medal-winning performances over the last few years.

She won a bronze medal at the Asian Championship and gold at the Universal Weightlifting Cup, where she set a personal best of 194kg. She currently leads the Commonwealth rankings in the women’s 53kg category with 194kg and has surpassed Nigeria’s Didih Onome, who has a personal best of 192kg.

However, Onome lifted 197kg at the 2025 Commonwealth Championship, so this could become one of the most thrilling gold medal battles in Glasgow.

Sakshi Chaudhary – Boxing

She sealed her spot in the Indian team through her brilliant performance at the selection trials, where she beat former world champions Nikhat Zareen and Minakshi Hooda.

She will play in her debut international tournament at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after the 2025 World Championships and will compete in the 51kg category. She will enter the tournament as the favourite for the title, along with Northern Ireland’s Caitlin Fryers.

Raja Muthupandi – Weightlifting

He is considered another upcoming talent in Indian weightlifting, having surpassed 300kg for the first time in the men’s 65kg category and set a new national record with 302kg.

He improved his previous best of 296kg, which he achieved after winning silver at the 2025 Commonwealth Championship, and was just behind Malaysia’s Muhamad Aznil Bidin.

Aznil also reached the 300kg mark this year at the Asian Championship in Ahmedabad, setting the stage for a thrilling gold medal battle in Glasgow.

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