India's Commonwealth Games 2026 Schedule Today: Lawn Bowls Fixtures and Opening Ceremony

India's campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games begins on Thursday with lawn bowls action before the official opening ceremony in Glasgow later in the evening.

The Indian contingent will be represented in two sectional-stage bowls matches, with world No. 21 Putul Sonowal taking on reigning world champion Ryan Bester in the headline fixture of the day.

Here's India's full schedule for July 23.

India at Commonwealth Games 2026 today (July 23)

All timings are in IST.

Bowls

• 4:50 PM - Women's pairs, sectional play
• Pinki Singh / Rupa Rani Tirkey (India) vs Connie Rixon / Rebecca Rixon (Malta)
• 6:15 PM - Men's singles, sectional play

Putul Sonowal (India) vs Ryan Bester (Canada)

Opening Ceremony

• 12:30 AM IST (July 24)

India's contingent will participate in the Commonwealth Games 2026 opening ceremony at the Hydro in Glasgow.

Putul Sonowal faces toughest opening test

India's biggest contest on the opening day sees Putul Sonowal take on Canada's Ryan Bester in the men's singles sectional stage.

Ranked No. 21 in the world, Sonowal faces one of the sport's most decorated players in Bester, the reigning men's singles world champion and a World Bowls Hall of Famer competing in his seventh Commonwealth Games.

Gold medal-winning duo begin campaign

The women's pairs team of Pinki Singh and Rupa Rani Tirkey also begin their campaign against Malta's Connie Rixon and Rebecca Rixon.

Both players were members of India's historic women's fours team that won lawn bowls gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and will be aiming for another strong start in Glasgow.

Bowls moves indoors for first time

The 2026 Games mark the first time bowls has been played indoors at a Commonwealth Games.

Instead of traditional outdoor greens, the competition is being held on four portable rinks inside Glasgow's SEC Centre, although the objective remains unchanged-finishing closest to the jack.

Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain to lead India

India's opening ceremony contingent will be led by Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu, who will serve as the flag bearer.

Fellow Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain has been named India's baton bearer for the ceremony, which will officially open the 2026 Commonwealth Games.