The Commonwealth Games 2022 is knocking at the door and the sporting fraternity all around the world are waiting to begin the action. One of the biggest sporting stages for the athletes belonging from Commonwealth nations, the event has a dedicated fan-base and many of the world beaters will be on display when it begins on July 28.

India will be making its 14th appearance at the 2022 edition of the CWG. India recently announced a 215-member contingent to participate in the event, some of whom are already household names in the sporting community. Several of India’s Tokyo Olympics medallists, along with former CWG medal winners are set to participate in the tournament and it will be an exciting time for Indian sports enthusiasts to watch who finds their way to the top. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Indian athletes at Commonwealth Games 2022.

Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Full list of Indian athletes

5. Manika Batra (Table Tennis)

Indian table tennis champion Manika Batra will be one of India’s medal hopes at the upcoming CWG 2022. Batra, who had won two gold, one silver and one bronze medals  at the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games in 2018, will look to add more in her kitty. 

Batra was one of India’s medal hopes at Tokyo Olympics as well, however, lost in the third round. Since then, the talented table tennis star has gone on to win medals at WTT events in Doha, Zagreb and Budapest. 

4. Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)

Chanu was a surprise medal winner at the Tokyo Olympics, however, has since gone strength to strength to script history. Although the weightlifter has faced some problems in the snatch event, she is one of India’s brightest medal hopes at the CWG 2022.

“CWG will be easy for me. I will be fighting with myself,” Chanu recently said in an interview to The Bridge.

The 27-year-old had won gold and silver medals at the Gold Coast and Glasgow in 2018 and 2014 respectively, and will be raring to add to her list of medals at Birmingham.

3. Ravi Kumar Dahiya (Wrestling)

While other Indian wrestlers struggled to win medals, Ravi Kumar Dahiya emerged with a silver medal in Tokyo 2020. The 24-year-old’s achievement overshadowed that of his compatriots Bajrang Punia, Deepak Punia and co. This will be Dahiya’s first time at the Commonwealth Games, and it is safe to assume that the wrestler will be one of India’s finest athletes at the event.

Dahiya has been in marvellous form since Tokyo 2020, winning his third consecutive Asian title, along with a gold and silver medals at Yasar Dogu and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournaments.

2. PV Sindhu (Badminton)

Arguably India’s best sports person at the moment. Sindhu holds two Olympic medals from Rio and Tokyo. She also has prior experience at the CWG, winning a gold, silver and bronze medals each in the 2014 and 2018 editions of the event.

Sindhu is currently participating in the Singapore Open, where she has reached the final at the time of writing this article. With a strong display on her back, Sindhu remains one of India’s top entrants at the Commonwealth Games 2022.

Also Read: Commonwealth Games 2022: Overview, events, fixtures, venue & telecast

1. Neeraj Chopra (Javelin)

Much can’t be said about Chopra, who is often dubbed as India’s ‘Golden Boy’ after winning an athletics gold medal at Tokyo 2020. Since his Tokyo Olympics heroics, Chopra has continuously worked to develop his technique, hoping to break the 90 metres mark. 

Chopra had recently finished at the second spot in the Stockholm Diamond League with a 89.94 metres throw, missing the 90 metres mark by a whisker. He is currently participating in the World Athletics Championships in the USA, before he sets his focus towards the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.