India Faces Medal Shortfall After Badminton, Wrestling, Hockey Dropped From Commonwealth Games 2026

Commonwealth Games Committee decision removed badminton, wrestling, field hockey, cricket, and table tennis from the 2026 Glasgow program, citing scheduling conflicts and venue constraints. This cuts out sports where India traditionally wins multiple medals.

India's Olympic Association warned the cuts could reduce India's projected medal haul by dozens, as badminton and wrestling alone contributed over half of India's Commonwealth medals in the last two editions, and could lower its overall ranking among Commonwealth nations.

Sports analysts note the removal may shift focus to athletics and swimming, but India lacks depth in those events, potentially lowering its rank compared with nations strong in those disciplines, and may force the Indian sports ministry to reallocate resources.

Indian athletes such as badminton star P.V. Sindhu and wrestler Bajrang Punia expressed disappointment, saying the decision undermines years of preparation and could affect funding and exposure for the sports, and they called for a review of the Games' sport selection criteria.