India's medal prospects at the 2026 Commonwealth Games were dealt a major blow, as key disciplines such as shooting, wrestling, badminton, hockey and cricket were removed from the Games in Glasgow.
In the updated roster released by the host city, only 10 disciplines were listed to cut costs. Among the other sports disciplines axed are table tennis, squash and triathlon.
The listed events are: 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 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball.
The Commonwealth Games will return to the Scottish city for the 23rd edition, from July 23 to August 2. Glasgow last hosted the Games in 2014.
Why have these sports disciplines been dropped?
Though not officially stated, the roster has been pruned to make the tournament budget-friendly. Only four venues “within an eight-mile corridor” will be hosting the CWG 2026 to manage the logistics—Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena (including the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome), and the Scottish Event Campus.
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This edition will have nine fewer events compared to the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Apart from cost-cutting, another reason for the axing of hockey could be that the Games are being held just around two weeks ahead of the hockey World Cup from August 15 to 30 in Wavre, Belgium and Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Victoria was set to host the 2026 Games but pulled out due to rising costs, following which Glasgow became the host city.
Why is the CWG 2026 updated roster a setback for India?
The axing of disciplines like shooting, wrestling, badminton, hockey and cricket is a major blow for India's medal prospects, as Indian athletes have won bulk of their medals in these disciplines in the past Games (cricket is an exception, but given India's dominance in the sport, the country was expected to make the podium. Indian women's team won the silver in 2022).
India were fourth in the medals tally four years ago in Birmingham, winning 61 medals, including 22 gold, 16 silver and 23 bronze. Of these, 12 medals came in wrestling and six in badminton. Wrestling, in fact, has been India's strengths, bringing 114 medals in all, including 49 gold, 39 silver, and 26 bronze.
In shooting, India has won 135 medals, which includes 63 gold, 44 silver, and 28 bronze. Shooting was not part of the roster at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, too, because of logistical reasons.
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In hockey, the Indian men's team has won three silver and two bronze, while the women have won three medals, including a gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
In badminton, India has won 31 medals—10 gold, eight silver, and 13 bronze.