CWG 2018 opening ceremony: PV Sindhu leads Indian contingent

Rio Olympic silver-medallist P.V Sindhu led the Indian contingent at a glittering opening ceremony which launched the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games, on Wednesday.

The star shuttler carried the tri-colour at the head of the Indian contingent which also included fellow badminton stars H.S. Pranoy and Kidambi Srikanth.

The opening ceremony of the Games took place in a packed Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast.

Cheered on by a stadium audience of over 35,000, the ceremony welcomed and introduced the 4,600 Commonwealth athletes ready to stake their claim on the global sporting stage.

The ceremony drew strongly on Aboriginal, Indigenous and First Nations cultures - symbolic of the Games` overarching commitment to reconciliation and inclusivity through sport.

This time, India have sent a strong 220 contingents for the multi-nation event, which will run till April 15. 

Flag-bearer Sindhu is one of the favourites to pick a gold medal in the prestigious event after being seeded number one in the women`s singles badminton event.

The Indian contingent also includes two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, and London Olympic bronze medallists Mary Kom and Gagan Narang.