CWG 2026: Putul Sonowal loses to Malaysia's Dzulkeple, unbeaten run ends
Synopsis
Putul Sonowal had already stunned world champion Ryan Bester of Canada — but Malaysia's Izzat Dzulkeple proved a step too far on Saturday. The straight-sets loss leaves Sonowal needing a near-perfect finish and a Dzulkeple slip to reach the CWG 2026 semifinals, in a format that gives runners-up no second chance.
Key Takeaways
Putul Sonowal lost 8-4, 9-8 to Malaysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in Section D lawn bowls at CWG 2026 on 25 July .
Dzulkeple leads Section D with 9 game points and a +18 shot difference ; Sonowal is second on 6 game points with a -8 shot difference .
Only the section winner advances to the semifinals — runners-up are eliminated.
Sonowal had earlier upset reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada on his Commonwealth Games debut.
Sonowal remains in contention mathematically but must win all remaining matches and rely on Dzulkeple dropping points.
India's Putul Sonowal suffered his first defeat at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, going down 8-4, 9-8 to Malaysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in a pivotal Section D men's singles lawn bowls match on Saturday, 25 July. The loss ended Sonowal's unbeaten start to the tournament and significantly complicated his path to the semifinals.
How the Match Unfolded
Dzulkeple made a sharp start, racing into an early lead before Sonowal gradually settled into the contest. The Indian narrowed the gap midway through the opening set, but the Malaysian remained composed to close it out 8-4.
Needing to win the second set to force a tie-break, Sonowal again found himself trailing after Dzulkeple opened up a sizeable advantage. Trailing by four shots after the sixth end, the reigning Asian champion mounted a determined late surge and pushed the set to the wire. Dzulkeple, however, held his nerve in the closing moments to edge it 9-8 and complete a straight-sets victory.
Section D Standings and What They Mean
With three wins from three matches, Dzulkeple has consolidated his grip on top spot in Section D, leading with nine game points and a +18 shot difference. Sonowal sits second on six game points but carries a -8 shot difference.
Critically, the competition format offers no lifeline for runners-up — only the section winner advances to the last four. That makes Sonowal's remaining matches must-win affairs, with his progress also contingent on Dzulkeple dropping points elsewhere.
Sonowal's Journey to This Point
Despite Saturday's setback, Sonowal had entered the match in fine form. On Friday, he defeated Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands in a tense three-set contest, taking the opening set 7-5, conceding the second 8-6, and clinching the tie-break 1-0.
His most celebrated result, however, came on his Commonwealth Games debut, when the world-ranked 21st Indian upset reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada. Sonowal edged the first set 5-4, conceded the second 7-3, and then delivered a match-winning opening bowl in the tie-break — one of the standout results of his career.
What Sonowal Needs Next
Sonowal remains in mathematical contention, but his margin for error has effectively disappeared. He must secure convincing victories in his remaining Section D fixtures and hope that Dzulkeple suffers at least one slip. Without both conditions being met, the Indian's campaign in Glasgow will end at the group stage — a hard landing after a stunning opening run that included the scalp of a world champion.
Point of View
But Dzulkeple has been the steadier performer across all three matches, and his +18 shot difference signals a margin of dominance that goes beyond scorelines. For Indian lawn bowls, which rarely commands mainstream attention, Sonowal's run — win or lose from here — has already made the case for greater investment in the discipline. The real question is whether selectors and federations will be watching.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Putul Sonowal at CWG 2026 on 25 July?
Putul Sonowal lost his first match at the Commonwealth Games 2026, going down 8-4, 9-8 to Malaysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in a Section D men's singles lawn bowls encounter in Glasgow. The defeat ended his unbeaten start to the tournament.
Can Putul Sonowal still reach the CWG 2026 semifinals?
Sonowal remains in mathematical contention but faces a narrow path. He must win his remaining Section D matches convincingly and also rely on Dzulkeple, who leads the section with nine game points, dropping points — since only the section winner advances to the last four.
Who is Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple?
Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple is a Malaysian lawn bowls player who leads Section D at CWG 2026 with three wins from three matches, nine game points, and a +18 shot difference. His victory over Sonowal on 25 July was his third straight win in the competition.
What were Putul Sonowal's results before the loss to Dzulkeple?
Sonowal had won two matches before Saturday's defeat. He beat Cecil Alexander of the Falkland Islands in a three-set contest (7-5, 6-8, 1-0 tie-break) and, on his Commonwealth Games debut, upset reigning world champion Ryan Bester of Canada in another three-set thriller.
What is the format of the lawn bowls singles competition at CWG 2026?
In the men's singles lawn bowls event at CWG 2026, players compete within sections and only the winner of each section advances to the semifinals. There is no provision for runners-up to progress, making every section match effectively a knockout scenario.
