Medal Hopefuls Vidya Pillai and Shivam Arora Gear Up for Home Advantage

Two of India’s most promising cueists are returning to the Commonwealth stage with direct entries. Vidya Pillai, the reigning Commonwealth women’s heball champion, captured gold in Mauritius last year by defeating South Africa’s Marina Jacobs in a dramatic final. She will now defend her title in front of a home crowd in Ahmedabad.

Shivam Arora, who earned a silver medal in men’s heball at the 2025 Mauritius edition after beating Uganda’s Sserer Chandiga in the final, aims to upgrade his podium finish to gold. Both athletes spoke about the added motivation of playing on Indian soil, citing the support of domestic fans as a crucial factor.

Their confidence is bolstered by the broader team’s depth, which includes world‑class snooker and billiards players. The duo’s primary goal is to add to India’s medal tally and cement their status among the Commonwealth’s elite cue sports athletes.