Commonwealth Games 2026 Athletics: Can India Deliver Its Best-Ever Track and Field Campaign in Glasgow?
The Commonwealth Games have traditionally been one of India's happiest hunting grounds in athletics. While the Olympics and World Championships often demand exceptional performances merely to reach the podium, the Commonwealth Games provide Indian athletes with a realistic opportunity to challenge for medals across multiple disciplines.
At Glasgow 2026, India once again heads into the athletics competition with genuine podium hopes. Led by Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, national record holders and rising stars across track and field, the contingent has the potential to produce one of India's strongest athletics performances at the Games.
However, unlike previous editions, medals will not come easily. Australia, England, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa and several Caribbean nations arrive with world-class athletes, making every final fiercely competitive.
Here's a closer look at India's leading medal prospects.
Perhaps India's brightest track prospect is Gulveer Singh, who will contest both the 5000m and 10,000m. In the 5000m, Gulveer enters with the third-best season performance among Commonwealth athletes. Kenya's Cornelius Kemboi and Australia's Ky Robinson remain the favourites, but Gulveer has consistently improved over the last two seasons and has firmly established himself among Asia's finest distance runners.
A bronze medal appears the most realistic target, though an exceptionally well-executed race could open the door to silver. The outlook is similar in the 10,000m, where Robinson and England's Scott Beattie are expected to lead the field. Gulveer again ranks third in the season's best and has every chance of adding another medal if he manages the pace effectively over 25 laps.
Winning two medals across both distance events would represent one of India's finest distance-running achievements at the Commonwealth Games.
Sprint Hurdles: Tejas Shirse Ready to Challenge
Indian sprint hurdling has entered a new era, and Tejas Shirse stands at its forefront. Ranked second in the season's best in the 110m hurdles, Tejas heads into Glasgow with realistic medal ambitions. Jamaica's Demario appears the strongest contender for gold, but Tejas has consistently lowered his timings this season and looks capable of challenging for silver. At the very least, he enters as one of the favourites for podium.
Given India's limited history in sprint hurdles at major championships, a podium finish would mark another significant milestone.
National record holder Parul Chaudhary has transformed Indian women's distance running over the past few years. In Glasgow, she enters the 3000m steeplechase with the fourth-best season performance. The event remains heavily dominated by African athletes, meaning Parul will likely need a personal best to secure a medal.
A bronze remains possible, but finishing just outside the podium appears the more probable outcome unless the race unfolds tactically.
India's strongest medal opportunities once again lie in the field events. After returning strongly from injury, Sreeshankar enters the long jump with the best season mark among Commonwealth competitors. If he reproduces his best form, the Indian is capable of winning gold.
However, long jump remains one of athletics' most unpredictable events, where a single legal jump often determines the podium. Regardless, Sreeshankar starts as one of India's strongest title contenders. His compatriot Lokesh Sarthyanathan, ranked fourth on the season's best, could also challenge for bronze if he delivers another career-best performance.
Sarvesh Kushare Eyes High Jump Medal
India's Sarvesh Kushare has quietly developed into one of Asia's leading high jumpers. Joint leader on the season's best entering Glasgow, Sarvesh has genuine medal aspirations. A silver or bronze medal appears highly achievable.
Should the favourites falter and Kushare produce a new national record, even gold cannot be ruled out.
India enjoys exceptional depth in the triple jump. Praveen Chithravel, ranked second on the season's best, has repeatedly shown that he raises his performance at major championships. That reputation makes him one of India's strongest medal hopes.
Silver appears realistic, while gold would require an exceptional performance. Alongside him, Selva Prabhu, ranked third, also enters with legitimate podium ambitions.
With both athletes capable of crossing the 17-metre barrier, India could realistically place two jumpers on the podium.
India's hopes in pole vault rest with Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar. Ranked fourth and fifth respectively, both athletes will likely require personal best performances to secure medals. A fourth-place finish currently appears the most realistic outcome, though pole vault has historically produced surprises.
Neeraj Chopra Headlines the Javelin Squad
No Indian athlete commands greater attention than Neeraj Chopra. Despite entering Glasgow with only the fourth-best season throw, the Olympic champion remains one of the favourites because of his consistency under pressure. Major championships often reward experience more than rankings, and few athletes compete better on big occasions than Neeraj.
A podium finish appears highly likely, with silver looking the most realistic prediction. Gold will depend on whether he can produce one of his trademark 90-metre throws at the right moment. Alongside him, Rohit Yadav provides India with another genuine medal contender. Ranked third in the season's best, Rohit possesses the distance to challenge for the podium but lacks significant international championship experience.
If he handles the occasion well, India could celebrate two javelin medals.
Tejaswin Shankar enters the decathlon as India's strongest all-round medal prospect. Ranked second in the season's best, the Asian Games medallist is expected to challenge strongly for silver and remains one of India's safest medal predictions. In the women's high jump, Pooja Singh enters ranked fifth.
While a medal cannot be ruled out, the event features several athletes with superior season performances, making a top-five finish the more likely outcome. Meanwhile, former Commonwealth champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor faces an uphill battle in the men's shot put.
Currently ranked sixth in the season's best, Toor will require a significant improvement to return to the podium.
Based on current form, India could realistically target 10–12 athletics medals, provided its leading contenders perform close to their season-best marks. Sreeshankar, Sarvesh Kushare, Tejas Shirse, Tejaswin Shankar, Praveen Chithravel, Neeraj Chopra and Gulveer Singh all enter Glasgow with realistic podium ambitions, while Rohit Yadav, Selva Prabhu and Parul Chaudhary have the ability to spring surprises.
As always, championships are rarely decided on paper. Injuries, weather conditions, tactical races and handling pressure can dramatically reshape medal outcomes. But one thing is clear: this Indian athletics team is among the strongest the country has ever assembled for the Commonwealth Games.
If the stars perform to their potential, Glasgow could become another landmark chapter in India's athletics journey.
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