When India concluded its campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games with 39 medals - 13 gold, 17 silver and 9 bronze - the headlines celebrated a fourth-place finish. But the numbers reveal a more significant story: women were the backbone of India's success.

Of India's 13 gold medals, eight were won by women. They also contributed four silver and four bronze medals, making them the single biggest force behind India's medal haul. In a Games where several of India's traditionally dominant sports, including wrestling, shooting, badminton, hockey and cricket, were absent from the programme, it was Indian women who ensured the tricolour continued to rise.

The campaign began familiarly with Mirabai Chanu, whose gold in weightlifting opened India's account. It was yet another reminder of the consistency that has made her one of India's greatest sporting icons.

But the defining story came from the boxing ring.

India won a record haul in boxing, and women stood at the heart of that dominance. Preeti Pawar, Jaismine Lamboria, Sakshi Chaudhary, Priya Ghanghas and Arundhati Choudhary each captured gold, showcasing a remarkable depth of talent across weight categories. Alongside them, Asmita Dey delivered another gold in judo, proving that India's rise is no longer confined to a handful of disciplines.

These victories were not isolated achievements. They are the outcome of years of investment in grassroots sports, improved coaching, scientific training and increasing opportunities for women athletes. More importantly, they reflect a changing social landscape where young girls from villages, small towns and modest backgrounds are competing, and winning on the international stage.

Yet, the celebration should also invite introspection.

India continues to applaud women athletes when they return with medals, but many still struggle with inadequate infrastructure, inconsistent financial support and limited media attention compared to their male counterparts. Their success often depends more on personal resilience than on a robust sporting ecosystem.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games should therefore not merely be remembered for India's medal tally. They should be remembered as a reminder that the country's sporting future increasingly rests on the shoulders of its women. They have repeatedly delivered on the biggest stages from the Olympics to the Commonwealth Games and have become India's most dependable performers.

The challenge now lies with policymakers, sports federations and society at large. If women can account for the majority of India's gold medals despite persistent structural barriers, imagine what they could achieve with equal access, sustained investment and institutional support.

The medals from Glasgow are more than podium finishes. They are evidence that the face of Indian sport is changing and that change is being led by women.