India's Commonwealth Games Journey Faces Setback in Bowls Women's Pairs

Unbeaten Streak Concludes in Heartbreaking Tie-Break

India's impressive unbeaten streak in the Bowls Women's Pairs at the Commonwealth Games 2026 came to a disappointing halt as they lost to Namibia 3-0 in a tie-break on Sunday in Glasgow. The Indian team, consisting of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh, managed to stage a remarkable comeback, forcing a tie-break against Namibia in the women's pairs lawn bowls event, according to reports.

After losing the first set 7-5, the duo bounced back strongly, winning the second set decisively with a score of 10-1, which shifted the momentum in their favor.

This tie-break was India's third in four matches, having previously triumphed over Malta and Tonga in similar fashion.

Semifinal Qualification Still Possible

Despite the setback, India's loss was mitigated by England's defeat to South Africa in another match, leaving India, England, and Namibia tied on points as they head into the final round of matches. The race for the semifinals remains open, and India's path is clear: they must defeat England later on Sunday to keep their hopes of qualification alive. However, facing a strong English team will undoubtedly be a significant challenge.

Previous Success in Sectional Matches

Earlier in the competition, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh showcased their skills by securing their third consecutive victory in the women's pairs sectional play. They narrowly defeated Tonga with scores of 5-2, 4-6, and 1-0 in a tense tie-breaker.