Sonowal stuns world champion Bester in CWG debut

Putul Sonowal, on Commonwealth Games debut, stunned reigning World Singles champion Ryan Bester of Canada in the men's singles in Glasgow. He won the first set 5-4, faced a comeback in the second 7-3, and held his nerve to win the tiebreak. Sonowal will meet Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands in his next Section D match. In the women's pairs, Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki Singh defeated Malta in a tense tie-break to open their Section B campaign. The triumphs marked a strong start for India's lawn bowls team at the Glasgow Games, highlighted by India's rising performance in bowls. Bester, a decorated medalist and 2025 World Bowls Hall of Fame inductee, headed the opposing storyline.