CWG 2026: Sreeshankar wins long jump silver in Glasgow after patellar tendon comeback
Synopsis
Less than two years after a ruptured patellar tendon left his father praying he would simply walk again, M. Sreeshankar returned to win silver in the long jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow — becoming a double CWG medallist and completing one of Indian athletics' most unlikely comebacks.
Key Takeaways
Sreeshankar won the silver medal in men's long jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 30 July .
He suffered a career-threatening ruptured patellar tendon in 2024 , requiring surgery in Doha after consultation with Dr.
Dinshaw Pardiwala in Mumbai.
Sreeshankar spent nearly seven months in intensive rehabilitation at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari .
His father and personal coach, S.
Murali , said he had stopped thinking about medals and only prayed his son would walk normally again.
The Glasgow silver makes Sreeshankar a double Commonwealth Games medallist in the long jump.
Indian long jumper M. Sreeshankar claimed the silver medal in the men's long jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 30 July, completing one of Indian athletics' most extraordinary comeback stories less than two years after suffering a career-threatening ruptured patellar tendon in 2024. His father and personal coach, S. Murali, who had long abandoned hopes of medals after the injury, described the achievement as nothing short of a miracle.
A Father's Prayer Answered
'I never thought about medals after the injury. Being his father and personal coach, I only wished that he would walk like a normal person again. But he has done a miracle — for us and for the country. I am extremely proud of him,' an emotional Murali said after his son's podium finish in Glasgow.
Murali called it a moment of immense pride, saying the silver was powered entirely by Sreeshankar's refusal to surrender to doubt. 'It is a very, very proud moment for me and my family because he is coming back after a huge injury — a ruptured patellar tendon. This is actually his second life. We never imagined he would return and jump like this. I am so happy that he has become a double Commonwealth Games medallist in the long jump,' he said.
The Road Back: Surgery, Rehab and Seven Months at IIS
The rehabilitation journey began the day after the injury, when Sreeshankar travelled to Mumbai to consult renowned sports surgeon Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala before undergoing surgery in Doha. Following the operation, he spent nearly seven months at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari, undergoing intensive physical rehabilitation.
'Only because of his determination and dedication could he make such a comeback. He worked relentlessly during those six to seven months at IIS,' Murali said. A ruptured patellar tendon — the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone — is among the most severe lower-body injuries an athlete can sustain, and full competitive returns at elite level are rare.
Sreeshankar's Unshakeable Confidence During Recovery
Despite the severity of the setback, Sreeshankar reportedly never allowed self-doubt to take hold. According to Murali, his son remained composed and certain of his return throughout the recovery period.
'He kept telling me, "I'll come back. I'll jump again. Don't worry about me." He was calm, composed and completely confident that he would return. I think he may be one of the very few athletes to come back at this level after a ruptured patellar tendon injury,' Murali recalled.
Off the track, the family leaned on faith. Sreeshankar's mother visited temples and offered prayers every day during national camps, wherever they were held, according to Murali.
A Double Commonwealth Medallist
The Glasgow 2026 silver makes Sreeshankar a double Commonwealth Games medallist in the long jump, cementing his place among India's most decorated track-and-field athletes. This comes amid a broader push by Indian athletics to build depth in field events, and Sreeshankar's return adds a significant name back to the competitive circuit ahead of future international cycles.
With his Glasgow medal secured, all eyes will now turn to what Sreeshankar can achieve on the global stage as he continues his recovery arc into full competitive fitness.
Point of View
Let alone a podium. That he did so in under two years, with his father doubling as coach, points to a support structure that Indian athletics rarely replicates at scale. The deeper question is systemic: Sreeshankar's seven-month stint at IIS Ballari was the backbone of his recovery, yet such facilities remain inaccessible to most Indian field athletes. One comeback story should not obscure that structural gap.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did M. Sreeshankar win at the Commonwealth Games 2026?
M. Sreeshankar won the silver medal in the men's long jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on 30 July. It makes him a double Commonwealth Games medallist in the event.
What injury did Sreeshankar suffer before the Commonwealth Games 2026?
Sreeshankar suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in 2024, a severe knee injury that required surgery in Doha. He subsequently spent nearly seven months in rehabilitation at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Ballari.
Who is S. Murali and what role did he play in Sreeshankar's comeback?
S. Murali is M. Sreeshankar's father and personal coach. He guided Sreeshankar's training throughout his career and supported his recovery after the 2024 injury, admitting he had stopped thinking about medals and only hoped his son would walk normally again.
Where did Sreeshankar undergo rehabilitation after his surgery?
After surgery in Doha, Sreeshankar underwent intensive rehabilitation for nearly seven months at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari, Karnataka.
Is Sreeshankar's comeback considered rare in athletics?
According to his father S. Murali, Sreeshankar may be one of very few athletes to return to elite competition at this level after a ruptured patellar tendon injury, which is widely regarded as one of the most severe lower-body injuries in sport.
