Every edition of the Commonwealth Games throws up its share of surprises, and Glasgow 2026 has been no exception for India, producing shocks in both directions across the opening week of competition.
The standout upset in India’s favour came on the very first day of competition. Lawn bowler Putul Sonowal, a 43-year-old Commonwealth Games debutant, defeated reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the men’s singles sectional play. Sonowal, the reigning Asian champion, split the first two sets with Bester before holding his nerve in a tie-break to complete the win, immediately signalling that India’s bowls contingent could be a genuine medal threat in Glasgow.
There were surprises that went against India too. In boxing, Aditya Yadav suffered India’s first defeat of the Games in the ring, going down 3-2 in a split decision to Uganda’s Nuhu Batte in the men’s 65kg round of 16, a result that few had predicted given the form both fighters had shown coming into the tournament.
In athletics, the women’s shot put final produced a heartbreaking near-upset against India rather than for it. Manpreet Kaur was well positioned for a medal through most of the competition, but Jamaica’s Lloydricia Cameron produced a big final-round throw to leapfrog her into bronze position, edging Manpreet off the podium into fourth place by the smallest of margins.
Off the field, India’s judo campaign suffered its own share of shocks, though for reasons unrelated to results on the mat. Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Tulika Maan was withdrawn from the Games after a provisional suspension over anti-doping whereabouts failures, while fellow judoka Arun Kumar was also suspended following an alleged doping violation, both developments landing before competition had even begun and significantly denting India’s medal prospects in the sport.
There have also been quieter surprises in the pool, where India’s swimming team, despite fielding Olympians Srihari Nataraj and Sajan Prakash, finished its campaign at Glasgow 2026 without a medal, continuing a long wait for the country in the sport that stretches back to Prasanta Karmakar’s lone para swimming bronze at Delhi 2010.
With boxing semifinals and the marquee athletics events, including Neeraj Chopra’s javelin campaign, still to come, India’s Commonwealth Games 2026 story in Glasgow still has room for a few more twists before the closing ceremony.