Key facts
- PV Sindhu and the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lead India's badminton contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
- The squad includes other top players like Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth.
- The Asian Games are scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 4.
- India achieved its most successful badminton campaign in the previous edition, winning one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.
- The selection committee finalized the squad based on recent performances and BWF rankings.
- The team features a blend of experienced players and emerging talent across all categories.
India's premier badminton stars, including two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and the formidable men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, are set to lead the nation's challenge at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) selection committee confirmed the squad, which also features top men's singles players Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth.
The selection was based on recent performances in national and international tournaments, as well as current BWF rankings. The Asian Games are scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4, with India aiming to build on their historic success from the 2023 edition, where they secured one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in badminton.
The men's contingent largely retains the core group that achieved a bronze medal at the BWF Thomas Cup earlier this year. Alongside the established stars, the squad includes promising young talents such as Badminton Asia Championships silver medalist Ayush Shetty, BWF World Junior Championships Individual Championship silver medallist Tanvi Sharma, and Team Championship medallist Unnati Hooda, who have impressed with their international performances.
BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra emphasized the growing depth of talent within Indian badminton, noting consistent performances from senior players and the emergence of younger athletes. He expressed confidence that the blend of experience, depth, and emerging talent in the selected squad possesses the quality and character to compete strongly and make the country proud.
India's historical performance at the Asian Games includes 13 medals in badminton, with a breakthrough gold medal in the most recent edition. The country's highest medal tally in badminton overall was five bronze medals at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games. The squad will also feature established combinations in doubles, including Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun in men's doubles, and Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand in women's doubles. Thailand Masters Super 300 champion Devika Sihag, along with Isharani Baruah and Tharun Mannepalli, bolster the singles depth, while Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto add strength to the doubles pairings.