New Delhi: India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have withdrawn from the Badminton Asia Championships due to a shoulder injury to Rankireddy, leaving India to rely on its singles stars to lead the campaign.
The duo, who clinched the continental title in 2023, decided to skip the tournament as Rankireddy continues to recover from a recurring shoulder problem. The pair had earlier pulled out of the Swiss Open before their quarterfinal match because of the same injury concern.
With the withdrawal of the top ranked doubles team, India’s challenge will now be spearheaded by Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu in the singles events. Both players will be aiming to end India’s long wait for a singles title at the continental tournament.
India has not won a men’s singles gold at the event since Dinesh Khanna achieved the feat in 1965. Lakshya Sen, who recently finished runner up at the All England Championships, will be looking to build on his strong form. The 24 year old will begin his campaign against Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong.
In women’s singles, two time Olympic medallist Sindhu returns to action after a disrupted European tour. She had to withdraw from the All England Championships after being stranded in Dubai due to regional tensions and later skipped the Swiss Open to recover. Sindhu will open her campaign against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching.
India will also see action from players such as HS Prannoy, who returns after recovering from injury, and Kidambi Srikanth, who faces Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew. Rising star Ayush Shetty is set to take on China’s Li Shi Feng.
In the women’s singles draw, young Indian shuttlers Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma and Malvika Bansod will also compete in their respective opening matches.
India will additionally have representation across men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles categories as the team aims for a strong showing at one of Asia’s most prestigious badminton tournaments.
