Rupa-Pinky defeat Tonga, India’s third consecutive win in Bowls!

The Indian women’s pairs lawn bowls team overcame a tough challenge from Tonga’s Paris Baker and Milica Nathan and won the match in the tie-break in the Commonwealth Games 2026 sectional play match on Saturday. Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinky played an important role in this spectacular victory.

The Indian pair had lost the first set. Tonga won the first set and took a 1-0 lead. However, the Indian pair responded with brilliant play in the second set. Pinky guided Rupa Rani and bowled an accurate ball that finished close to the jack, allowing India to level the score at 1-1.

Maintaining the same momentum, the Indian pair controlled the rest of the set and won it 5-2, moving closer to another win.

Tonga was not ready to back down. Baker and Nathan dominated the second set, taking a huge 6-0 lead after the first three ends. Rupa Rani and Pinky made a comeback in the end, hitting several good balls to reduce the score, but the recovery was not enough. Tonga won the set 6–4, forcing a tiebreak.

When the match was tied, the Indian pair performed brilliantly. Rupa Rani bowled three solid balls which put India in a strong position. Pinky then completed the task with great accuracy, leading India to win the match by winning the tiebreak 2-0.

This victory was India’s third consecutive victory in the women’s pairs competition. This further strengthened the position of Rupa Rani Tirkey and Pinky in the sectional standings. He continued his brilliant performance at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Both England and India have won all three of their matches in Section B of the women’s pairs sectional play. England are ahead and on top of the table. England has won one set more than the second placed Indian team. Roopa and Pinky’s next match will be against Namibia on Sunday at 1:00 pm Indian time.