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Commonwealth Games 2026: All you need to know about Putul Sonowal
He made an immediate impact by defeating Canada's three-time Commonwealth Games medallist Ryan Bester in his opening men's singles match.
Putul Sonowal [Photo credit: Putul Sonowal/ IG]
Putul Sonowal announced his arrival on the Commonwealth Games stage with a statement victory, upsetting Canada's three-time Commonwealth Games medallist Ryan Bester in the men's singles sectional opener after a tie-break on his debut in Glasgow.
The result was the latest milestone in the Assam bowler's remarkable rise, which has seen him emerge as one of India's leading lawn bowls players following his Asian Championship triumph earlier this year.
Early days
Hailing from Assam, Putul has built his career while serving as a Havildar with the Assam Police.
He developed into one of the country's most reliable lawn bowlers through consistent performances in domestic competitions, representing both Assam Police and the Indian national team.
Over the years, he has gained valuable international exposure by competing at events such as the Lawn Bowls World Cup, steadily improving his game against some of the world's best players.
Rising through the ranks
Sonowal's success first came on the domestic circuit.
He won gold in the men's triples at the National Lawn Bowls Championships and added a bronze medal in the men's singles at the National Games.
His performances also earned him the Best Men's Player award at the Inter-District Lawn Bowls Championships.
These consistent results helped him establish himself as one of India's top lawn bowlers and earned him regular opportunities to represent the country internationally.
Breakthrough season
The 2026 season marked the biggest breakthrough of Sonowal's career.
Competing at the Asian Lawn Bowls Championships in New Delhi, he captured the gold medal in the men's singles event, underlining his rise as one of the continent's leading players.
The victory significantly boosted his confidence heading into the Commonwealth Games and reinforced his position among the world's leading lawn bowlers.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games mark Sonowal's debut at the multi-sport event.
From representing Assam Police to becoming an Asian champion, Putul Sonowal has steadily climbed the ranks in Indian lawn bowls. His breakthrough performances in 2026 have established him as one of India's brightest prospects in the sport, and the Commonwealth Games offer another opportunity to showcase his growing stature on the international stage.