CWG 2026: Rupa Rani, Pinki beat Tonga in tiebreak for third straight win
Synopsis
Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki refused to buckle after conceding a full set to Tonga, then dominated the tiebreak 2-0 to seal India's third straight win in women's pairs lawn bowls at CWG 2026. With England ahead only on sets won, Sunday's match against Namibia could decide who tops Section B.
Key Takeaways
Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki defeated Tonga's Paris Baker and Milika Nathan at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 25 July .
India won the match via tiebreak ( 2-0 ) after splitting sets 5-2 and 4-6 .
The victory is India's third consecutive win in the women's pairs sectional play.
India sit second in Section B , behind England on sets won, with both teams on three wins from three games.
India's next match is against Namibia on Sunday at 1:00 PM IST .
Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki, India's women's pairs lawn bowls duo, clinched a hard-fought victory over Tonga's Paris Baker and Milika Nathan in the Commonwealth Games 2026 sectional play at Glasgow on Saturday, 25 July, sealing the contest with a composed tiebreak performance. The win is India's third consecutive victory in the women's pairs competition, keeping their campaign firmly on track.
How the Match Unfolded
India began cautiously, conceding the opening end to fall 1-0 behind in the first set. They levelled immediately in the second end, with Pinki guiding Rupa Rani to deliver a precise bowl close to the jack, restoring parity at 1-1. The Indian pair then controlled the remainder of the set to claim it 5-2.
Tonga hit back hard in the second set. Baker and Nathan raced to a commanding 6-0 lead after the opening three ends, forcing India into a recovery mode. Rupa Rani and Pinki narrowed the gap with a series of well-executed deliveries but could not overturn the deficit, as Tonga held on to take the set 6-4 and force a tiebreak.
Clinical Tiebreak Seals the Win
In the decisive tiebreak, the Indian pair rediscovered their best form. Rupa Rani produced three assured deliveries, placing two of her bowls closer to the jack than Tonga's nearest effort. Pinki then completed the job with clinical precision, securing the tiebreak 2-0 to wrap up the match for India.
Section B Standings
With three wins from three games in Section B of the women's pairs, India share the top of the table with England — but trail on sets won. England currently lead the section, having won one more set than the Indian pair. Rupa Rani and Pinki are scheduled to face Namibia on Sunday at 1:00 PM IST, a match that could be decisive in determining who tops the section heading into the knockout rounds.
India's Lawn Bowls Campaign in Context
India's women's pairs team have been one of the consistent performers at Glasgow 2026, building momentum with each outing. This is the third such win in as many matches, a run that reflects the partnership's growing cohesion and adaptability under pressure. Notably, their ability to respond after conceding a full set — and then dominate the tiebreak — signals a maturity that will be tested further as the competition intensifies.
Point of View
But the set count tells a more nuanced story — India are second in Section B precisely because they dropped a full set to Tonga, a team ranked well below England. The tiebreak composure is encouraging, but the pattern of slow starts and mid-match vulnerability will be tested by stronger opponents in the knockouts. Sunday's Namibia fixture is a chance to close the gap on England at the top, but the real measure of this pair's CWG ambitions will come when the sectional cushion is gone.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win their match against Tonga at CWG 2026 lawn bowls?
Yes. Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki defeated Tonga's Paris Baker and Milika Nathan in the women's pairs sectional play at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 25 July. India won via a 2-0 tiebreak after the match was level at one set each.
What is India's current standing in the CWG 2026 women's pairs lawn bowls section?
India are second in Section B with three wins from three matches. England top the table on the same number of wins but lead by virtue of winning one more set than the Indian pair.
Who are Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinki's next opponents at CWG 2026?
The Indian duo are scheduled to face Namibia on Sunday at 1:00 PM IST in their next Section B match at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.
How did the tiebreak play out between India and Tonga?
Rupa Rani Tirkey delivered three assured bowls, placing two closer to the jack than Tonga's nearest effort. Pinki then completed the tiebreak with clinical precision, securing it 2-0 to win the match for India.
What is women's pairs lawn bowls at the Commonwealth Games?
Women's pairs lawn bowls is a discipline at the Commonwealth Games where two-player teams compete on a grass or synthetic green, rolling bowls as close as possible to a small target ball called the jack. Teams play across multiple ends, with the team accumulating the most points across sets advancing through the competition.
