GLASGOW — Continuing their sensational unbeaten run on the greens, India’s Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar recorded their fourth consecutive victory in the men's pairs lawn bowls competition at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Friday.
Playing as lead and skip respectively, the Indian duo delivered a masterclass in tactical drawing and pinpoint accuracy to outclass the Falkland Islands pair of Ian Barnes and Oliver Thompson in straight sets, 6-3, 10-0, in their Section B Round 4 encounter.
Tactical Mastery in Set One
From the opening roll, Navneet and Dinesh asserted control over the line and length, placing their bowls consistently close to the jack. While the Falkland Islands team attempted to stage a comeback mid-frame, the Indian pairing stayed calm under pressure, expertly countering their opponents’ adjustments to seal the opening set 6-3.
Dominant Sweep in Set Two
The second set proved to be a completely one-sided affair. Opening with an explosive four-point burst in the very first end, India relentless pushed ahead, denying Barnes and Thompson any opportunity to settle into the match. Navneet’s precise setup deliveries combined seamlessly with Dinesh’s decisive skip play, wrapping up a commanding 10-0 whitewash to complete the victory in style.
Clash for Top Spot Awaits
With four wins from four matches, India remains firmly entrenched in second place in Section B, sitting just behind group leaders England, who hold a slightly superior points differential.
The two undefeated heavyweights are now set for a high-stakes clash in the final round-robin match, which will determine who finishes top of the pool. Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each of the four sections (A, B, C, and D) will earn a place in the quarterfinals.
Bright Spots Elsewhere
It was a doubly triumphant session for the Indian lawn bowls contingent as veteran star Nayanmoni Saikia also delivered a dominant performance in the women's singles Section C Round 4 match, sweeping past Zambia's Mildred Mkandawire 2-0 (17-2, 11-2).
