The Indian contingent took part in the flag hoisting ceremony at the Commonwealth Games Village, Birmingham, the English city hosting the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games. Along with other Indian athletes, the Indian women’s and men’s hockey teams also attended the official start of the games.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Acting President Anil Khanna, IOA Treasurer Anandeshwar Panday, Anil Dhupar, the Deputy Chef de Mission for the Games, and Team India's Chef de Mission, Rajesh Bhandari were also present at the flag hoisting ceremony along with other officials from the Indian side.
India had won a total of 66 medals including 26 gold medals and finished third in the last Commonwealth Games held at Gold Coast, Australia. However, the medal tally may see a fall as shooting and wrestling have been removed from the games. The two sports had been the most medal-winning for the country. In Gold Coast, out of the total medals won by Indian athletes, 16 had come from shooting alone including seven golds.
Moreover, Indian prospects have had a hit as star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has to back out of the games as he got himself injured in the Athletics World Championships in Oregon, the US. Although, fans in India have high expectations of the athletes.
The more than 200-membered Indian contingent includes big names such as PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen. India will contend in 15 sports disciplines in the games.