Why is cricket not part of Commonwealth Games 2026? EXPLAINED | Commonwealth Games News
NEW DELHI: The 2026 Commonwealth Games will begin on Thursday in Glasgow, Scotland. However, fans will notice that many popular sports, including cricket. Apart from cricket, hockey, badminton and wrestling, they are also not in the program this year.The number of games has been reduced from 19 in the 2022 Birmingham Games to just 10 in Glasgow. The decision also affected India’s medal hopes, as many of the country’s strongest events were dropped.
Why cricket is not part of Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow?
Cricket was dropped from the Glasgow Games due to financial and logistical reasons.The 2026 Commonwealth Games were originally held in Victoria, Australia. However, the state government withdrew as host in 2023 due to rising costs. Glasgow was later confirmed as the replacement host in September 2024, leaving organizers with limited time to prepare.To keep the Games affordable and sustainable, organizers reduced the number of games from 19 to 10.
Has cricket been included in the Commonwealth Games?
Yes. Cricket made its Commonwealth Games debut at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games.The competition featured only the men’s ODI format, with 16 teams participating. South Africa, led by Shaun Pollock, won the gold medal after defeating Australia in the final. New Zealand claimed the bronze medal by defeating Sri Lanka.The West Indies are represented by three separate teams – Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Jamaica. India also sent a split national team, while Scotland and Northern Ireland represented the British Isles.Cricket returns after a gap of 24 years at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, this time as a women’s T20 tournament with eight teams.Australia, led by Meg Lanning, won the gold medal. India finished with the silver, while New Zealand took the bronze.
Which sports have been axed from Commonwealth Games 2026?
Nine games from Birmingham 2022 have been dropped from the Glasgow programme:
- Cricket
- Badminton
- Hockey
- Squash
- Table tennis
- Triathlon
- Wrestling
- Beach volleyball
- Rugby seven
The 10 sports at Glasgow 2026 are:
- Athletics
- Swimming
- Track cycling
- And put the
- 3×3 basketball
- Lawn bowls
- Netball
- Artistic gymnastics
- Judo
- Boxing
Big blow for India’s medal hopes
The decision was a major setback for India. India finished fourth in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with 61 medals. Half of those medals came from sports that are no longer part of the Games.India won:
- 12 medals in wrestling
- 7 in table tennis
- 6 in badminton
- 2 in hockey
- 2 of the pumpkin
- 1 in cricket
These six sports alone contributed 30 medals to India’s total tally. Shooting and archery, two other events in which India has traditionally done well, are missing from the programme.
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