India, July 23 -- Even before the Indian contingent got down to business at the 2026 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Glasgow, the country was already assured of one medal, boxer Lovlina Borgohain's free pass to the semi-finals of the wafer-thin 75kg draw.

Once things kicked off on the opening ceremony-headlined day of these truncated Games, a positive result set the tone for India. In early bowls action on Thursday, Putul Sonowal, featuring in his first CWG, upset Canada's Ryan Bester-the reigning outdoor World Bowls Championship gold medallist turning up for his seventh CWG-in their men's singles Section D opener.

The women's lawn bowls hopefuls also made a winning start, with Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki defeating Malta in the women's pairs...