India's Young Badminton Stars Gear Up for BWF World Junior Championships 2026
India's Strong Contingent for the Championships
India aims to enhance its performance after securing a team bronze and an individual silver at last year's event in Guwahati. A robust squad of 18 players, featuring newly crowned Asian U17 champion Tanvi Patri, continental silver medallist Shaina Manimuthu, and India Junior International Grand Prix winner Dev Ruparelia, is set to compete in the BWF World Junior Championships 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.
Selection Process and Trials
The selection of the team was conducted through trials held at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati from September 18 to 21. This process adhered to the guidelines established by the Junior Selection Committee of the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Tournament Structure and Group Stage
The Suhandinata Cup team event is scheduled from October 5 to 10. India, seeded fifth and bronze medallists from the previous edition, has been placed in Group D1 alongside Peru and Brazil. To advance to the quarterfinals, India must secure the top position in Group D1 and subsequently win a playoff against the top team from Group D2, which includes ninth seeds Indonesia, Macau China, and Senegal.
BAI's Optimism for Success
Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of BAI, expressed confidence in the squad's potential, stating, "India has a strong chance of delivering another impressive performance. Our junior players are carrying good momentum from the U17 Asian Championships, where the team reached the final. We waited for the medal-winning players to return before completing the selection trials to ensure everyone had a fair opportunity. Our boys and girls have worked extremely hard, and I am confident they can build on India’s podium finishes in Guwahati last year."
New Scoring System and Training
According to the BWF Council's decision for 2026, the Suhandinata Cup will utilize a new 3x55 relay scoring system, while the individual events for the Eye Level Cups, taking place from October 11 to 17, will follow the 3x15 scoring system. To prepare for the championships, the team will participate in a dedicated World Junior Camp at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati from September 25 to October 2.
Meet the Indian Team
The girls' singles will be spearheaded by Patri and Manimuthu, along with Parul Choudhary and Tanvi Reddy Andluri. In boys' singles, Ruparelia will be joined by Nishchal Chand, Jagsher Singh Khangurra, and Akhil Reddy Bobba. The girls' doubles team includes Aanya Bisht and Angel Punera, who were part of last year's historic medal-winning squad, alongside Diya Bheemaiah B. and Baruni Parshwal. The boys' doubles pairs consist of Aathish Sreenivas P.V. with Yogansh Singh, and Pavan Suresh with Punith Suresh. The mixed doubles lineup features Divyansh Agrawal and Varna Prabhuanand, as well as Yogansh Singh and Aanya Bisht.
Complete Indian Squad for BWF World Junior Championships 2026
Boys' Singles: Nishchal Chand, Dev Ruparelia, Jagsher Singh Khangurra, Akhil Reddy Bobba. Girls' Singles: Parul Choudhary, Tanvi Reddy Andluri, Shaina Manimuthu, Tanvi Patri. Boys' Doubles: Aathish Sreenivas P.V. / Yogansh Singh, Pavan Suresh / Punith Suresh. Girls' Doubles: Aanya Bisht / Angel Punera, Diya Bheemaiah B. / Baruni Parshwal. Mixed Doubles: Divyansh Agrawal / Varna Prabhuanand, Yogansh Singh / Aanya Bisht.