CWG 2026: Pinki, Rupa begin Bowls campaign with thrilling tiebreak win over Malta

India’s women’s pairs team of Pinki Singh and Rupa Rani Tirkey made a winning start to their Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign, defeating Malta in a dramatic tiebreak in their opening Group Play match on Thursday.

Playing in the indoor version of the sport, now officially known as Bowls at the Commonwealth Games, the Indian pair overcame sisters Rebecca Louise Rixon and Connie-Leigh Rixon after a contest that went down to the final bowl.

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India started strongly and took control early in the first set. Pinki and Rupa built a steady lead, with Pinki producing some accurate deliveries to help India move ahead 2-0. Malta reduced the gap in the next end, but India quickly regained control as Pinki delivered another crucial bowl to extend the advantage.

The Indian pair continued to dominate, adding more points before sealing the opening set 7-1. Rupa played a key role in the closing stages, while Malta’s attempt to recover with an aggressive drive ended up working against them.

The second set was much tighter. India again moved ahead early after Pinki’s well-placed bowl shifted the jack in their favour, but Malta fought back immediately to level the scores.

The two teams exchanged leads through the remainder of the set. Pinki once again came up with an important bowl to win a close measurement and keep India in front, but the Rixon sisters responded brilliantly in the closing ends to level the set and force a tiebreak.

Malta made the better start to the shootout and looked set for victory after placing two bowls closer to the jack. Rupa improved India’s position with her final bowl, leaving Pinki with the responsibility of deciding the match.

Her first attempt brought India closer, while her second narrowly missed changing the outcome. With everything riding on the final delivery, Pinki held her nerve and produced a superb bowl to edge India ahead and seal a memorable victory.