New Delhi: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has been provisionally included in India’s 32-member athletics squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite currently recovering from injury. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced a strong contingent featuring several of the country’s leading track and field athletes for the Glasgow Games.
The squad is headlined by sprint stars Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur, who recently exchanged the national 100m record, reflecting the growing strength of Indian athletics ahead of major international competitions.
Strong squad named for Commonwealth Games
The AFI has selected a balanced team comprising experienced campaigners and emerging talents across multiple disciplines.
Notable athletes in the men’s squad include Tejaswin Shankar, Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Sarvesh Kushare, all of whom are expected to play key roles in India’s medal campaign.
The women’s contingent features accomplished performers such as Parul Chaudhary, Manpreet Kaur and race walkers Ravina and Priyanka.
Federation Cup performances influence selection
Several athletes earned selection following outstanding performances at the Federation Cup 2026 held in Ranchi.
A number of competitors not only achieved the qualification standards set by the AFI but also established new national records during the competition.
The impressive performances highlighted the growing depth of Indian athletics and provided selectors with a strong pool of athletes capable of competing at the international level.
Relay team misses out
One of the notable absentees from the squad is the men’s 4x100m relay team.
The relay quartet suffered disappointment at the World Relays in Botswana earlier this year when a baton exchange error led to disqualification. During the race, third-leg runner Ragul Kumar fell while attempting to pass the baton to Gurindervir Singh.
Although the team later recorded a respectable timing of 39.07 seconds, it was not enough to secure qualification for the Commonwealth Games.
The omission is considered one of the biggest setbacks in India’s athletics selection process for the event.
Javelin throwers get final opportunity
Unlike most disciplines, the men’s javelin throw event required an additional qualification opportunity.
The AFI provided javelin throwers with another chance to achieve the required standard during a competition held in Jalandhar on June 13.
Young athletes Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh successfully crossed the AFI qualification mark of 82.61 metres with personal-best performances, earning their places in the national squad.
Neeraj Chopra’s fitness under watch
Among the selected athletes, Neeraj Chopra remains one of the key names being monitored ahead of the Games.
The reigning Olympic and world champion is currently recovering from an injury in Switzerland and has not yet confirmed his competitive return date.
Neeraj had recently withdrawn from the Doha Diamond League while continuing rehabilitation. However, the AFI stated that he has recovered from his back injury and is expected to return to competition within the next 10 days.
According to federation officials, Chopra has assured them that he intends to compete before the Commonwealth Games and will seek to meet the qualification requirements through upcoming events.
His participation is expected to significantly boost India’s medal prospects if he returns to full fitness.
Selva Prabhu also under observation
Apart from Neeraj Chopra, triple jumper Selva Prabhu is also being monitored by the federation ahead of the Games.
The reason for the additional observation remains unclear, particularly as Selva recently won gold at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and surpassed the AFI qualification standard.
He recorded a jump of 16.92 metres, exceeding the qualifying mark of 16.89 metres and reinforcing his credentials as one of India’s promising field athletes.
India eyes strong CWG campaign
With a combination of experienced stars and rising talents, India will aim to build on its recent successes in international athletics.
The inclusion of athletes who have consistently performed at national and international competitions reflects the federation’s focus on assembling a competitive squad capable of challenging for medals across multiple disciplines.
The final composition of the team may still depend on fitness updates and qualification performances in the weeks leading up to the Games.
Conclusion
India’s 32-member athletics squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games features several of the country’s top performers, including Neeraj Chopra, whose fitness remains under close observation. With emerging sprint stars, experienced field athletes and strong medal contenders across events, the team will be looking to deliver another successful campaign on the Commonwealth stage.