After an unprecedented success achieved in the last edition (2010), it would be hard to replicate this time after the dropping of a few disciplines but the Indian contingent are upbeat after getting back in the Olympic fold.
After an unprecedented success achieved in the last edition (2010), it would be hard to replicate this time after the dropping of a few disciplines but the Indian contingent are upbeat after getting back in the Olympic fold.
With a 215-strong Indian contingent leading the front, a top-five finish in the 20th Commonwealth Games which starts today, beckons. So who could land the coveted medal for the country? We take a look at these stars who could clinch the all important glory for the India at the CWG 2014 in Glasgow:
Abhinav Bindra:
India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist, Abhinav Bindra will be leading the shooters’ charge in Glasgow. Bindra is amongst the top-ranked shooters in the world and his experience could prove vital for India to clinch a medal the CWG.
Indian hockey team:
Even though they had a disappointing Hockey World Cup in Holland recently, the Indian hockey side will be looking to bring smiles back as they aim for gold this time. Led by the influential Sardar Singh, the Indian hockey team might meet the Aussies in the final who had thrashed them 8-0 back then in 2010.
PV Sindhu:
With Indian badminton ace Saina Nehwal pulling out of the CWG recently, all hopes are pinned on shuttler PV Sindhu to make the cut in Glasgow. The youngster showed her worth as the next big sensation in Indian badminton when she won the bronze medal at the World Championship in China and also clinched two Grand Prix Gold – Malaysia and Macau last year.
Amit Kumar Dahiya:
One of the youngest wrestler in the Indian delegation, Amit Kumar Dahiya was a silver medalist at the 2013 World Wrestling Championships and could be one of the medal hopefuls in the Commonwealth Games.
Sushil Kumar:
Winning a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Sushil Kumar took a giant leap forward by clinching a silver in the 66 kg Free Style Wrestling category at the 2012 London Olympics. He remains India’s best bet of landing a gold medal as far as Wrestling category is concerned.
Vijay Kumar:
During the 2010 Commonwealth Games, shooter Vijay Kumar won three gold medals and a silver but the big moment came when landed a silver at the 2012 London Olympics.
Vijender Singh:
Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh is another medal hopeful as he leads the Indian boxing contingent in Glasgow.
Krishna Poonia:
Discus-thrower Krishna Poonia was the first Indian woman athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games back in 2010 and could repeat the feat.
Parupalli Kashyap
In the men’s category, shuttler Parupalli Kashyap will lead the line of bidding for a medal at the CWG. Kashyap, who had finished with a bronze at the Delhi Commonwealth Games four years ago, will be aiming for a straight gold this time around.
Yogeshwar Dutt:
During the Delhi 2010 CWG, Yogeshwar defied the odds by winning a gold for India. Two years later, he won a bronze medal in the freestyle 60 kg category at the 2012 London Olympics. A medal can be expected from the Haryana-born wrestler.
Indian squash contingent:
The Indian squash team will be spearheaded by ace squash players, Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal, who are seeded fourth and sixth respectively in the singles.
So with the above hopefuls ready to make the tricolour proud, let’s hope that they do our country proud. And most importantly, our support is compulsory without whom these stars won’t be able to succeed.
