Top five medal contenders for India in athletics at Commonwealth Games 2026

Many top athletes will represent India in Glasgow.

India’s athletics team will be in action at the Commonwealth Games 2026 from July 27 to August 1 as Scotstoun Stadium hosts nearly 60 medal events over six days.

The country has named a 32-member athletics contingent for the competition, with one of its strongest medal prospects in recent history.

Olympic and world medallist Neeraj Chopra continues to lead the charge along with Commonwealth Games podium finishers – Murali Sreeshankar and Tejaswin Shankar. Joining them are athletes in career-best form like Praveen Chithravel and Parul Chaudhary. 

Here are India’s top five medal contenders in athletics at the Commonwealth Games 2026.

Medal contenders for India in athletics at Glasgow CWG

Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw)

There is little doubt that Neeraj Chopra will shoulder India’s biggest medal expectations in Glasgow. After missing the 2022 Commonwealth Games because of a groin injury, Chopra returned to claim Olympic silver at Paris 2024 before scripting history the following year with a 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League and becoming the first Indian to breach the 90m barrier.

His progress was interrupted by another injury that sidelined him for nine months, and he made his comeback with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 Doha Diamond League.

While Chopra is still searching for his best form, his track record at major championships makes him the favourite to challenge Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, Anderson Peters, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage and fellow Indian Rohit Yadav for the title.

Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump)

After missing the Paris Olympics because of a career-threatening knee injury, Murali Sreeshankar has fought his way back into medal contention.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist recently recorded a jump of 8.38 meters at the National Inter-State Championships. This marks his best performance since setting the national record of 8.41 meters.

Despite ongoing rehabilitation, the 27-year-old has rediscovered his rhythm and will be targeting another podium finish in Glasgow

Praveen Chithravel (Triple Jump)

Praveen Chithravel will arrive in Glasgow with redemption on his mind. The Tamil Nadu athlete narrowly missed the podium at the previous Commonwealth Games, finishing fourth while India celebrated a historic gold-silver finish in the event.

Since then, the national record holder has consistently crossed the 17m barrier and established himself as one of Asia’s leading triple jumpers. Another performance in that range could put him firmly in contention for a Commonwealth medal.

Tejaswin Shankar (Decathlon)

A bronze medallist at the Birmingham Games, Tejaswin Shankar will hope for another podium finish in Glasgow. The former high jump specialist has established himself as one of Asia’s top decathletes and continues to make gains across all 10 disciplines, giving India another realistic medal chance.

Parul Chaudhary (3000m Steeplechase)

India’s hopes in the distance events will rest heavily on Parul Chaudhary as she has showcased a steady rise over the past few seasons, consistently improving her performances in the 3000m steeplechase while also making her mark in the 5000m.

With a relatively open Commonwealth field compared to the Olympics or World Championships, Parul will be aiming to capitalise on the opportunity and secure a place on the podium.

Honourable mention: Sarvesh Kushare

It would be a mistake to overlook Sarvesh Kushare in Glasgow. The Indian high jumper has enjoyed a breakthrough season by setting a national record of 2.31m and following it up with a historic Diamond League podium finish in Monaco. His recent results have elevated him in contention for a Commonwealth Games medal.

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