New Delhi: India’s badminton contingent will be led by former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and rising men’s singles star Ayush Shetty at the Australian Open Super 500 tournament, which gets underway on Tuesday.
Sindhu enters the competition as the third seed and will be aiming to end a lengthy title drought. The 30-year-old has not won a BWF World Tour title since her triumph at the Syed Modi International in 2024. Her best performance this season came at the Malaysia Open, where she reached the semifinals.
The Indian star begins her campaign against Peru’s Ines Lucia Castillo and is expected to enjoy a favourable route in the early rounds. However, tougher challenges could await later in the tournament, including a potential semifinal clash against Japan’s world No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi. Sindhu holds a narrow 15-13 advantage in their head-to-head record. A possible final could see her face Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong, against whom she also enjoys a positive record.
Sindhu arrives in Australia after a round-of-16 exit at the Indonesia Open, where she was defeated by South Korean world No. 1 and reigning Olympic champion An Se-young.
In men’s singles, world No. 20 Ayush Shetty will spearhead India’s campaign. Seeded sixth, the young shuttler will begin against a qualifier as he looks to build on recent encouraging performances on the international circuit.
India’s men’s singles lineup also includes experienced campaigners HS Prannoy and Kiran George, who face Indonesia’s Moh. Zaki Uba and Malaysia’s Justin Hoh respectively in their opening-round matches.
The women’s singles draw features several Indian players, including Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, Anmol Kharb, Aakarshi Kashyap and Tanya Hemanth, all seeking deep runs in the tournament.
In doubles, India will be represented by Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun, along with Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Pochana Arjun Reddy in the men’s competition. In mixed doubles, sixth-seeded Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will carry India’s hopes as they begin their campaign against a Hong Kong pair.
With a blend of experienced stars and emerging talent, India will be aiming for a strong showing at one of the season’s key Super 500 events.
