New Delhi: The Indian women’s doubles combination of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh continued its unbeaten run at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, narrowly overcoming Tonga on Saturday to move a step closer to the semifinals.The experienced pair, both part of India’s famous four-piece women’s team that won the Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022, defeated Tonga’s Paris Baker and Milika Nathan 2-0 via the playoffs after the two sides shared the opening two sets in the B division. With this victory, India registered their third consecutive victory in the women’s doubles competition and remained in the race for the final.
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England have won three of their three Group B matches but are top of the game after taking one set to India’s two.
India recovered quickly before they caught their nerves
Tonga got off to a bright start, taking the lead after the end when Paris Baker produced a sensational header that put the Indians under pressure.Rupa, however, responded brilliantly in the second over with a superb second bowler, as skipper Pinki Singh masterfully controlled the contest as India leveled the score at 1-1.The momentum quickly shifted in India’s favor as the duo combined well in the remaining stages to seal the opening set 5-2.The second group was more difficult. Baker and skip Milika Nathan dominated the early exchanges, racing to a commanding 6-0 advantage after three.Rupa and Pinki tried to make a late recovery but were unable to take the lead as Tonga took it 6-4, making the match a winner.When the pressure was high, two Indians gave up. Rupa gave India the first chance before Pinki finished the job calmly, sealing yet another win and maintaining India’s unbeaten record.In grass bowls, the skipper is responsible for opening each end and placing the bowl as close to the jack as possible, while the skip, usually the most experienced player on the team, calls the route and delivers the last bowls for each end.
Depression of Indian swimmers
However, it was a disappointing day in the pool in India.Dhakshan Shashikumar and Aryan Nehra failed to qualify for the men’s 400m freestyle final after finishing outside the qualifying zone at the Tollcross Swimming Centre.Shashikumar clocked 3:58.09 to finish 15th among 27 swimmers. Competing in Heat 3, he rose slightly to seventh place at the halfway point but faded in the final.Nehra, swimming in Heat 4, clocked 4:00.26 to place 16th overall after sitting at the back of the field for the rest of the race.