Glasgow, July 24 -- India's Pinki Singh and Rupa Rani Tirkey began their Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign with a hard-fought victory in the women's pairs event, while Putul Sonowal stunned reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the men's singles at the Scottish Event Campus on Thursday, according to Olympics.com.

Pinki and Rupa, members of India's gold medal-winning women's fours team from Birmingham 2022, defeated Malta's Connie Rixon and Rebecca Rixon in their Section B contest.

The Indian duo dominated the opening set 7-1, but Malta fought back to win the second set and force a tie-break. Pinki's final bowl proved decisive as India sealed the victory.

Meanwhile, 43-year-old Putul Sonowal marked his Commonwealth Games debut...