India Faces Setback at Badminton Asia Championships 2026 with Key Withdrawals

India's badminton team is gearing up for the 2026 Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, despite the withdrawal of star men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty due to injury. PV Sindhu makes her return to competitive play, while Lakshya Sen leads a strong men's singles contingent. The team aims to build on its historical successes, with a mix of experienced players and rising talents ready to compete across various categories. The event promises to be a significant challenge for the Indian squad as they strive for medals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 7, 2026, 15:52 IST

India's Badminton Team Faces Challenges

India's participation in the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 has hit a snag as the prominent men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty has withdrawn due to Satwik's shoulder injury. Despite this setback, top singles players PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen are set to lead the Indian squad in Ningbo, China, starting Tuesday. This continental championship is being hosted in Ningbo for the third consecutive year, and the Indian team remains strong across various categories, as reported by Olympics.com.

PV Sindhu's Comeback

PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion, is making her competitive return after her quarter-final exit at the Indonesia Masters in January. The 30-year-old had previously withdrawn from the All England Open despite being fit, making her participation in Ningbo crucial for India's aspirations for medals.

Men's Singles Players in Form

In the men's singles category, Lakshya Sen enters the tournament with impressive momentum, having finished as the runner-up at the All England Open. He will be joined by seasoned players HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth, both of whom have previously medaled at the world championships, along with promising newcomer Ayush Shetty.

Doubles Challenge and Historical Context

India's most notable achievements at the Badminton Asia Championships include two gold medals: Dinesh Khanna in men's singles in 1965 and the duo of Satwik and Chirag in men's doubles in 2023. With the absence of the top-ranked pair, the men's doubles challenge will now be spearheaded by Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun, alongside Pruthvi K R and Sai Pratheek K.

Women's Singles and Doubles Teams

Sindhu will lead the women's singles lineup, supported by Malvika Bansod, Unnati Hooda, and the talented Tanvi Sharma. In women's doubles, India will field three pairs following the withdrawal of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.

Mixed Doubles Campaign

The mixed doubles team will be led by Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, who were the standout performers last year with a quarter-final finish. They will be joined by Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani, as well as Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh.

India's Squad for Badminton Asia Championships 2026

* Men's singles: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy * Men's doubles: Hariharan Amsakarunan-M R Arjun, Pruthvi K R-Sai Pratheek K * Women's singles: PV Sindhu, Malvika Bansod, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma * Women's doubles: Kavipriya Selvam-Simran Singhi, Priya Konjengbam-Shruti Mishra, Ashwini Bhat K-S Gautam * Mixed doubles: Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto, Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Shivani, Ashith Surya-Amrutha Pramuthesh.