New Delhi: India’s top badminton players have received contrasting draws for the BWF World Championships 2026, with PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen handed favourable opening-round matches, while Ayush Shetty faces the toughest challenge against defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China.
The prestigious tournament will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, marking the return of the World Championships to India after a gap of 17 years.
Former world champion PV Sindhu, fresh from her Japan Open triumph, will begin her campaign against Ireland’s Sophia Nobel, ranked world No. 141. Sindhu’s draw keeps her away from top seed An Se Young of South Korea and defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan until the later stages. She is expected to face China’s third seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals before a possible last-eight clash with Indonesia’s Putri Wardani.
World Championships bronze medallist Lakshya Sen will start against Austria’s Collins Valentine Filimon. A victory is likely to set up a high-profile pre-quarterfinal clash against Thailand’s second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand expressed confidence in Lakshya, saying the Indian shuttler has matured significantly over the years and possesses the ability to defeat any opponent on his day, especially with the advantage of playing at home.
The biggest first-round contest involving an Indian will see Ayush Shetty take on reigning world champion Shi Yu Qi. Although Ayush has lost all three previous meetings against the Chinese star, Gopichand believes facing him early could work in the youngster’s favour and potentially open up the draw with an upset.
In men’s doubles, fifth seeds Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received a first-round bye and will begin their campaign in the second round. MR Arjun and Hariharan will face Ireland’s Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds.
Among the other Indian entries, Unnati Hooda begins her women’s singles campaign against Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzar, while mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also received a first-round bye. Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will open their women’s doubles campaign against Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez.
With a blend of experienced stars and promising youngsters, India will be aiming for a strong medal haul on home soil at the World Championships.
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