India will be looking to better the medal tally with the 218-strong contingent. Here's how you can catch the live action
Spooked by a needle controversy but in high spirits nonetheless, the jumbo Indian contingent would be aiming to make it all good with strong medal-winning performances when the acutely-low-on-buzz Commonwealth Games start on Tuesday with an opening ceremony at Gold Coast.
At the previous edition in Glasgow the Indian medal tally stood at 64 – 15 gold, 30 silver and 19 bronze and the 218-strong contingent would be expected to either better it or ensure that the final count hovers close to the previous haul.
The major burden of expectations would once again be on shooters, boxers, shuttlers and wrestlers – all of whom have been in good form going into the Games. The two hockey teams would also be expected to at least be on the podium if not on top.
The likes of PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Jitu Rai, MC Mary Kom, Sushil Kumar and Vinesh Phogat are being considered medal certainties.
The dark horses would include the gymnasts and the table tennis players, who might just throw up a few surprises to finish among the medals.
The Games will have its fair share of international stars in the likes of Jamaican sprinter Yohann Blake, world champion hurdler Sally Pearson, British diver Tom Daley and India's very own Mary Kom and South Africa's Caster Semenya among others.
India can hope for their first medal on the first day of competitions itself when world champion weightlifter Mirabai Chanu presents her challenge in the 48kg category On the same day, shuttlers, boxers and table tennis players will also kick off their campaigns.
The relevance and the appropriateness of the Games, meant for former British colonies, has been questioned several times with some critics even calling the event a reminder of brutal subjugation.
But given the number of medals and secure futures that athletes from some countries can pull off by winning medals here, not many are complaining about the rather uncomfortable foundation on which the CWG legacy is built.
"We are ready for a great Games to begin," said Commonwealth Games Federation CEO David Grevemberg.
Ready, Gold Coast certainly is but willing is something that would be clear when the curtains lift on the opening ceremony
Here's how you can catch the action live in India -
Venue - Gold Cost, Australia
Opening Ceremony - On April 4 at 2.30 PM IST
Everyday action - Games will begin at 4.30 AM IST everyday starting April 5 until April 15.
Live streaming - Sony Liv
Live TV - Sony SIX, Sony TEN 2, and Sony TEN 3
Schedule
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