Kunlavut Vitidsarn Thrives at India Open 2026, Expresses Love for Playing in India

Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the World No. 2 badminton player from Thailand, celebrated his victory at the India Open 2026, expressing his admiration for playing in India. He won a challenging match against Japan's Koki Watanabe and shared his excitement about the tournament. Meanwhile, Indian players, including Lakshya Sen and the women's doubles team of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, also had successful starts. The tournament, running from January 13 to 18, serves as a precursor to the World Championships 2026, featuring top global talent.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 14, 2026, 18:40 IST

Vitidsarn's Enthusiasm for Indian Badminton

Following his victory in the Round of 64 against Japan's Koki Watanabe at the India Open 2026 Badminton Championship, Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn, currently ranked World No. 2, expressed his fondness for competing in India. He shared his excitement about playing in a large stadium and discussed the difficulties of managing the shuttlecock.

"Playing in such a big stadium is thrilling. It's challenging to control the shuttle, but overall, the experience is wonderful. I aim to perform my best at the India Open. India is a beautiful country, and I have many fans here. I truly enjoy my time playing in India," Vitidsarn remarked to the media.

Victory in a Challenging Match

In a closely contested match, Kunlavut Vitidsarn triumphed over Koki Watanabe with scores of 21-19, 25-23, and 21-10. The Thai player displayed remarkable composure to secure the first set. Although Watanabe fought back to win the second set 25-23, Vitidsarn dominated the third set, finishing it 21-10 to advance to the next round of the ongoing India Open 2025.

Strong Start for Indian Players

On the Indian front, Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen kicked off his India Open journey with a victory over fellow Indian Ayush Shetty. Sen showcased his skills, winning decisively in two games with scores of 21-12 and 21-15.

Additionally, the eighth-ranked women's doubles team, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, secured a win against Thailand's Ornnicha Jonggsathapornparn and Sukitta Suwachai, with a score of 21-15, 21-11.

However, the mixed doubles duo of Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K, along with the women's doubles pair of Priya Konjegbam and Shruti Mishra, were eliminated in the first round.

Overview of the India Open 2026

The India Open 2026, classified as a World Tour Super 750 tournament, is taking place from January 13 to 18. This event serves as a precursor to the prestigious World Championships 2026, with badminton matches being held in the expansive multi-purpose hall at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, promising fans an enhanced viewing experience.

As in previous editions, this year's India Open has attracted top badminton talent, including World Champion Shi Yu Qi from China, women's world No. 1 An Se Young, and BWF World Tour Finals champion Christo Popov.