Birmingham: India will look to build on its encouraging start at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as a busy Day 2 schedule presents multiple medal opportunities across disciplines. The Indian contingent had early positives, with Lovlina Borgohain assured of a boxing medal and a notable lawn bowls win for Putul Sonowal over world champion Ryan Bester in sectional play.

Sunday’s fixtures feature a strong line-up in para powerlifting, along with key events in swimming, gymnastics, boxing, and lawn bowls. With several finals scheduled, India has a realistic chance to open its medal tally and gain momentum early in the competition.

Para powerlifting anchors medal hopes

India’s strongest medal prospects lie in para powerlifting, where multiple athletes will compete in finals at the SEC Armadillo across weight categories.

The action begins with the men’s lightweight final at 6:16 PM IST, featuring Ashok and Parmjeet Kumar. This is followed by the women’s lightweight final at 8:01 PM IST, where Jaspreet Kaur and Suman Devi will aim for podium finishes.

Later in the evening, Kasthuri Rajamani competes in the women’s heavyweight final at 10:40 PM IST. The day concludes with the men’s heavyweight final at 12:29 AM IST (Monday), where Sudhir and Jhandu Kumar will be in action.

Swimming and para swimming events begin

In the pool, India will have representation in both para swimming and mainstream swimming events starting in the afternoon session.

At 3:40 PM IST, Ravi Veera Venkata Bhavani Karthik Budigna and Imam Ali will compete in the men’s S13 100m freestyle heats. Both swimmers will aim to qualify for the final scheduled at midnight.

Shortly after, at 3:56 PM IST, Srihari Nataraj will take part in Heat 4 of the men’s 50m backstroke, targeting a place in the semi-finals later in the night at 12:29 AM IST.

Gymnastics team begins campaign

India’s artistic gymnastics campaign begins at 5:00 PM IST with the men’s team final and individual qualification rounds. The team includes Tapan Mohanty, Swathish Kaitheri Puthalath, Tapeshwarnath Das, and Yogeshwar Singh.

While medals may be a long shot, the focus will be on securing spots in individual apparatus finals.

Lawn bowls sees crucial sectional matches

India’s lawn bowls contingent will continue its campaign with two important matches in the evening session.

At 7:30 PM IST, Pinki and Rupa Rani Tirkey will face South Africa’s Thabelo Muvhango and Jacqui Janse van Rensburg in the women’s pairs sectional play.

Later, at 10:20 PM IST, Putul Sonowal will return to action in the men’s singles sectional play against Cecil Alexander.

Boxing bout to kick off India’s campaign

India’s boxing campaign officially begins at 11:00 PM IST, when Jadumani Singh faces Scotland’s Aaron Cullen in the men’s 55kg Round of 32 at the SEC Centre.

A win here will see Singh progress further in the tournament and strengthen India’s boxing medal prospects.

Full schedule: India on Day 2

Swimming and Para Swimming

  • 3:40 PM – Men’s S13 100m Freestyle Heat: Ravi Veera Venkata Bhavani Karthik Budigna, Imam Ali
  • 3:56 PM – Men’s 50m Backstroke Heat: Srihari Nataraj

Artistic Gymnastics

  • 5:00 PM – Men’s Team Final & Individual Qualification

Para Powerlifting

  • 6:16 PM – Men’s Lightweight Final: Ashok, Parmjeet Kumar
  • 8:01 PM – Women’s Lightweight Final: Jaspreet Kaur, Suman Devi
  • 10:40 PM – Women’s Heavyweight Final: Kasthuri Rajamani
  • 12:29 AM – Men’s Heavyweight Final: Sudhir, Jhandu Kumar

Lawn Bowls

  • 7:30 PM – Women’s Pairs: Pinki & Rupa Rani Tirkey vs South Africa
  • 10:20 PM – Men’s Singles: Putul Sonowal vs Cecil Alexander

Boxing

  • 11:00 PM – Men’s 55kg Round of 32: Jadumani Singh vs Aaron Cullen

Finals (subject to qualification)

  • Midnight – Men’s S13 100m Freestyle Final
  • 12:29 AM – Men’s 50m Backstroke Semi-final

Conclusion: Strong opportunity to build early momentum

With multiple finals and qualification rounds lined up, Day 2 presents India with a significant opportunity to add to its medal tally at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Para powerlifting remains the strongest medal avenue, while swimming, boxing, and lawn bowls could provide crucial breakthroughs.

A successful outing on Sunday could set the tone for the remainder of the Games, as India aims to establish itself among the leading nations early in the competition.