Archive · 24 Jul 2026
India Wins Lawn Bowls Opener at CWG 2026
India had a great start at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.
Putul Sonowal, who is the Asian champion, beat the world champion Ryan Bester in the Men's Singles.
The Women's Pairs team, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, also won their first match against Malta.
Both teams had to win in a tie-break, which shows how exciting and close the matches were.
Sonowal will play his next match against Cecil Alexander, and the Women's Pairs team will face South Africa next.
Both Tirkey and Pinki were part of the team that won gold in the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Putul Sonowal, the reigning Asian champion, defeated 2023 world champion Ryan Bester in Men's Singles Lawn Bowls.
The Indian Women's Pairs team, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, secured a tie-break victory against Malta.
Sonowal won the first set 5-4 but lost the second set 7-3, winning the tie-break to clinch the match.
The Women's Pairs team won the first set 7-1 but lost the second set 3-4, winning the tie-break to secure the match.
Both Tirkey and Pinki were part of the Women's Fours team that won gold in the 2022 Birmingham CWG.
- Who
- Indian lawn bowlers Putul Sonowal, Rupa Rani Tirkey, and Pinki Singh
- What
- Secured key wins in the Commonwealth Games 2026
- When
- On the opening day of the Games
- Where
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Why
- To compete in the Commonwealth Games 2026 lawn bowls events
Indian Team's Performance
Opponents' Performance
Men's Singles
Indian Team's Performance
Putul Sonowal, the reigning Asian champion, defeated 2023 world champion Ryan Bester in a tie-break.
Opponents' Performance
Ryan Bester, a multiple Commonwealth Games medallist and World Bowls Hall of Fame inductee, lost in a tie-break.
Women's Pairs
Indian Team's Performance
Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh won their opening match against Malta in a tie-break.
Opponents' Performance
The Maltese duo of Rebecca Louise Rixon and Connie-Leigh Rixon fought back but ultimately lost in the tie-break.
- Event
- Commonwealth Games 2026
- Location
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Men's Singles Winner
- Putul Sonowal
- Women's Pairs Winners
- Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh
- Opponents in Men's Singles
- Ryan Bester
- Opponents in Women's Pairs
- Rebecca Louise Rixon and Connie-Leigh Rixon
- Next Match for Sonowal
- Cecil Alexander of Falkland Islands
- Next Match for Women's Pairs
- South Africa
Sources
Indian lawn bowlers secure key wins at Commonwealth Games 2026
India at CWG 2026 Day 2 Schedule: Full list of Indian athletes in action
India's CWG 2026 Day 1 recap: Putul Sonowal stuns world champion Ryan Bester on Commonwealth Games debut
