2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games : 5 Indian players to look out for at Glasgow Games

5 Indian players to look out for in Glasgow Games - Dipika Pallikal (Squash)

The Indian squash campaign in Glasgow will be spearheaded by Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal, seeded fourth and sixth respectively in the singles category.

Dipika will partner Ghosal in the mixed doubles. This edition will mark World No. 10 Dipika`s debut in the event. She became the first female Squash player to be conferred with the Arjuna Award. Coached by six-time world champion, Sarah Fitz-Gerald, Pallikal will hope to stake her claim in Glasgow.

2013 saw Dipika win two major world tournaments - Macau Squash Open and Meadowood Pharmacy Open. Dipika will hope to repeat the success and live up to the World No. 6 tag.

5 Indian players to look out for at Glasgow Games - Parupalli Kashyap (Badminton)

Parupalli Kashyap will be an important name representing India at the Commonwealth Games. The 2010 Bronze medal winner of the same edition, will be eager to improve the feat this time in Glasgow. Ranked 13th in the world, Kashyap has shown promise and intensity at the big stage but hasn`t managed to win in major tournaments.

In the absence of Lee Chong Wei, the tournament has opened up and Kashyap will look to seize the opportunity. Kashyap has to overcome the likes Wei Feng Chong and Rajiv Ouseph and a win against the top notch can help him and India bag a medal in badminton. The 2012 London Olympics quarter-finalist will hope to deliver in the absence of Saina Nehwal.

5 Indian players to look out for at Glasgow Games - Sushil Kumar (Wrestling)

Sushil Kumar has been India`s most successful athlete in recent times and bears a lot of expectations. The 2010 Commonwealth and Asian Games Gold medal winner starts as a favourite to bag the top prize in Glasgow.

Two-time Olympic champion Sushil Kumar, who for long dominated the 66kg category, will be fighting in the 74 kg category this year - a category he had to choose, after the International Wrestling Federation (FILA) reorganized the weight categories earlier this year.

Sushil, who has put in more power training with new techniques, will be hoping to excel in the new category as well. In Delhi, the Indian wrestlers reaped a rich haul of 19 medals including 10 gold, five silver and four bronze.

5 Indian players to look out for at Glasgow Games - Sardar Singh (Hockey)

The Indian skipper is one of the best players in the game and he has dictated the centre half position. With bags of experience under his belt, Sardara (Sardar) has been the only Indian hockey player who has been consistent over the years.

Indian hockey team’s performances have been below par in recent times and although an improvement has been seen, they have lacked substance against top teams. The Indian hockey team won the silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The mercurial midfielder has been good to watch and is an inborn leader. Sardara is recognised by one and all, and he will try to use his skills and techniques to perfection in guiding this Indian team to a medal win in Glasgow.

5 Indian players to look out for at Glasgow Games - Gagan Narang (Shooting)

When it comes to CWG, then Gagan Narang is an undisputed frontrunner for India. He won 4 gold medals at 2006 Melbourne CWG and another 4 gold medals at 2010 Delhi CWG.

This time, he will lead the Indian shooting contingent in two events: 50m rifle 3 Position and 50m Rifle Prone. Unfortunately, he failed to make the cut in his favourite 10m Air Rifle category. He had won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics in this category and he is also the world record holder, having scored a perfect 600 in qualification at the 2008 ISSF World Cup Final.

Till now, he is the only shooter to do so twice – in 2008 and 2010. Having this outstanding feat to his name, the nation will expect Narang to deliver once again.