India’s Commonwealth Games medal prospects have taken a hit with the exclusion of key sports like cricket, hockey, among others, from the 2026 schedule.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
This decision was announced by the Commonwealth Games Federation as part of a trimmed roster to make the event more budget-friendly. The exclusion of these major sports could affect India’s performance, as the nation has historically won many medals in these disciplines.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Glasgow, will not feature several sports that are popular in India. Cricket, hockey, wrestling, badminton, shooting, table tennis, triathlon, and squash have all been left out. These exclusions come as part of a reduced program aimed at keeping costs low.
“The sports programme will include Athletics and Para Athletics (Track & Field), Swimming and Para Swimming, Artistic Gymnastics, Track Cycling and Para Track Cycling, Netball, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Judo, Bowls and Para Bowls, and 3×3 Basketball and 3×3 Wheelchair Basketball,” the Commonwealth Games Federation said in a statement.
More: ‘No reason to panic’ – Venkatapathy Raju defends KL Rahul amid calls to drop batter ahead of India vs New Zealand 2nd Test
This is a significant setback for India, as many of its medals in previous editions have come from the omitted sports. For example, in the 2022 CWG, India bagged a total of 61 medals, with wrestling alone contributing 12 medals.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on sporting action
Sports like weightlifting, athletics, boxing, and table tennis also helped India secure a fourth-place finish. The removal of these sports could greatly reduce India’s chances of winning medals in 2026.
The sports program for the 2026 Games will focus on athletics, swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling, netball, weightlifting, boxing, judo, bowls, and basketball. Both para and non-para versions of some of these sports will also be part of the event.
David Warner has made a sensational U-turn over his retirement from Test cricket in January announcing that he is 'available' for selection for Australia's upco
Indonesia all-rounder Ni Made Putri Suwandewi will share a dressing room with recent T20 World Cup-winning captain Sophie Devine after
Diving, rugby and cricket are among the sports that will not feature in the 2026 Commonwealth Games, for which Glasgow has been of
OpinionChief Sports CorrespondentPakistan’s greatest cricketer rots in prison while England tour the countryOctober 22, 2024 10:58 am(Updated 12:28 pm)Imran K