INDIA’S 5 BEST BETS AT GOLD COAST

After a controvers over a boxin official, and Saina Nehwal’s threat to pull out, it’s time for India to make a splash at the 21st Commonwealth Games, which begin in Australia’s Gold Coast today. Here are 5 favourites:

SUSHIL KUMAR WRESTLING Men’s 74kg

The two-time Olympic medallist has seen little action since the 2014 Glasgow Games, but it will be tough for any grappler at the CWG level to stop the defending champion‘s third consecutive gold

MC MARY KOM BOXING Women’s 45-48kg

The 35-year-old MP and mother of three is making her CWG debut. The 2014 Asian Games gold medallist meets a Scottish opponent in the opener and a win will ensure a bronze, though she is the favourite for gold

SAKSHI MALIK WRESTLING Women’s 62kg

The Rio Olympic Games bronze medallist in the 58kg category is competing in a higher weight category. She is in good form, having won the Commonwealth Championship gold last year

PV SINDHU BADMINTON

The flag-bearer of the Indian contingent will aim for gold after a bronze at Glasgow in 2014. Ranked third in the world, Sindhu will be the top seed and the best bet in women’s singles, as Saina Nehwal is not at her best

MANU BHAKER SHOOTING 10m air pistol

The 16-year-old won two gold medals at her maiden senior World Cup in Mexico, becoming the youngest Indian to win gold at a shooting world cup. Having beaten some of the best, Bhaker is a firm favourite