Indian Badminton Stars Gear Up for Asian Games 2026 in Japan

As the Asian Games 2026 draw near, Indian badminton stars Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth share their excitement and readiness for the competition in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. With a strong 20-member squad, including notable players like HS Prannoy, the team aims to build on their past successes. Lakshya emphasizes the importance of focus and motivation, while HS Prannoy confirms this will be his last Asian Games. Kidambi Srikanth expresses confidence in their ability to secure medals, highlighting the team's potential to overcome any opponent. Read on to discover more about their preparations and aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 18, 2026, 19:54 IST

Preparations for the Asian Games 2026

As the Asian Games 2026 approaches, Indian badminton players Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth have shared their optimism regarding their training while recognizing the formidable competition they will encounter in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

India has announced a 20-member badminton team for the upcoming Asian Games, featuring notable players like Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, all of whom were part of the silver medal-winning men's team at the Hangzhou 2023 event.

The men's squad includes Ayush Shetty, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, MR Arjun, and Dhruv Kapila. In individual events, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty will compete in men's singles, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, along with Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun, will participate in men's doubles. The team retains much of the core that secured a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup earlier this year.

Lakshya Sen: 'Excited and Well-Prepared'

In a recent interview, Lakshya Sen expressed his enthusiasm and readiness for the Asian Games, highlighting its significance as one of Asia's premier tournaments. He acknowledged the pressure stemming from India's previous performances but emphasized the team's commitment to winning each match and earning medals for the nation. He conveyed his personal motivation and eagerness to start his campaign.

"I'm very excited about this tournament, and it's one of the biggest tournaments in Asia. I'm really looking forward to the matches now, and the preparation has been good. We have done well in the past. There is a lot of pressure to perform at the highest level, and yeah, these are the tournaments India should expect, and we, as a team, are focused on giving our best and winning medals for our country," he stated.

He also mentioned that the team is awaiting the draws and acknowledged the challenges posed by their opponents, particularly in the team event where consistent performances across all five matches are crucial.

HS Prannoy's Final Asian Games Appearance

Shuttler HS Prannoy confirmed that the 2026 Asian Games will mark his final participation in this continental multi-sport event, as he aims for a strong performance with the men's team following India's silver medal achievement in Hangzhou three years prior. He stated, "Yes, this is my last Asian Games. You won't see me in the Asian Games. I think that much; I'm pretty much sure."

Prannoy expressed confidence in the team's preparations and their goal of securing gold this time.

Lakshya Sen Commends Veteran Teammates

In response to Prannoy's announcement, Lakshya praised the veteran's experience and mentorship, noting that younger players look up to both Prannoy and Srikanth. He remarked, "I think they are the seniors of the team for quite some time now, and we have seen them perform at the highest level. They've given us a lot of advice, and the courage to go out there and perform better for the country."

Lakshya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete alongside them and wished Prannoy the best in his final tournament.

Kidambi Srikanth: 'We Can Beat Any Team'

Kidambi Srikanth expressed optimism about India's chances of winning a medal in Aichi-Nagoya, commending his teammates' performances over the past year. He stated, "I'm really very excited to be here. We definitely have a great chance again to win a medal in the team event. So I'm just really very excited."

He acknowledged the support from fans and emphasized the team's determination to perform at their best, saying, "I'm just very happy to know that people believe that we can win medals. We've come a long way. This wasn't the case probably 15-20 years back."