The Commonwealth Games have long served as a launchpad for Indian sporting talent, from Krishna Poonia's gold medal-winning discus throw in 2010 to many others who went on to shine internationally.
As the Commonwealth Games 2026 gets underway in Glasgow, a new group of young Indian athletes is ready to make their mark alongside more experienced campaigners. Here are some of the young athletes to watch this year.
At just 23, Animesh Kujur has emerged as one of India's most promising sprinters. Having switched to athletics after a background in football in Chhattisgarh, he set a national record of 20.32 seconds in the men's 200m, making him the fastest 200m runner in the country.
His bronze medal at the Asian Athletics Championships ended a drought of more than ten years for India in the event. Even reaching the finals in Glasgow would mark a major step forward for Indian sprinting.
Known as India's fastest sprinter, Gurindervir Singh clocked 10.09 seconds to set a new national record, underlining his standing among the world's leading sprinters.
While the top sprinting champions remain ahead of him, Gurindervir's progress signals a rising sprinting power in India.
An Army runner, Gulveer Singh became the first Indian to finish the 5,000m in under 13 minutes and later broke the national record in the 10,000m.
He also won two medals at a single edition of the Asian Championships. Competing against runners from Uganda, Kenya and Australia will be a challenge, but his strategic racing skills could make him a strong contender.
The Tamil Nadu athlete equaled the national record in the men's triple jump with a leap of 17.37 metres and has crossed the 17-metre mark on several occasions.
His silver medal at the Asian Championships and bronze at the Asian Games highlight his ability to perform under pressure, making him a medal prospect in Glasgow despite strong competition from Jamaica.
Sachin Siwach made his mark in international boxing by winning the AIBA Youth World Championship title before moving into senior competitions.
Known for his sharp counter-attacking punches and composure, he arrives in Glasgow as one of the top contenders for a medal in lightweight boxing.
At 21, Preeti Pawar has established herself as one of India's most promising female boxers, having won a bronze medal at the 2022 Asian Games against strong international competition.
She has continued to build her skills and gain international experience since, and a strong showing in Glasgow could position her as one of India's leading hopes for the 2028 Olympic cycle.
Tejas Shirse's achievements are contributing to the growth of hurdle racing in India. Glasgow will be his first multi-sport championship, giving him valuable experience against the Commonwealth's top hurdlers, with India counting on him to make his mark on this debut.