Indian Badminton Stars Set to Shine at 20th Asian Games in Japan
Star-Studded Indian Badminton Team Announced
The Indian badminton team, featuring two-time Asian Games medalist PV Sindhu and the men's doubles gold medalists from the 2022 Asiad, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, is ready for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4. This prestigious event is renowned for showcasing the best athletes from across Asia, all vying for national pride.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) confirmed the squad after evaluating performances in recent national and international competitions, along with BWF rankings as of May 26. The team is led by Lakshya Sen, India's top-ranked men's singles player, and includes seasoned players like H. S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth, who were part of the men's team that won silver in the last edition.
Emerging Talents Join the Roster
The squad also highlights the rise of new talents, including Ayush Shetty, who won a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships, and Tanvi Sharma, a silver medalist at the BWF World Junior Championships. Unnati Hooda, a team championship medalist, has also made the cut after impressive international performances.
BAI's Confidence in Team's Strength
Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of BAI, expressed optimism about the depth of talent in Indian badminton, noting the strong performances from both established stars and newcomers. He emphasized the resurgence of Satwik-Chirag, Lakshya Sen's return to the top 10, and the men's team's success at the Thomas Cup, alongside consistent results from PV Sindhu and other senior players.
"Indian badminton is thriving, not just through individual talent but also due to the growing pool of skilled athletes. This squad embodies a mix of experience and emerging talent, positioning us well for a strong showing at the Asian Games," Mishra stated.
Building on Previous Achievements
India enters the Asian Games with a strong legacy, having secured 13 medals in badminton history, including a historic gold at the last Games. The 2022 edition was particularly successful, yielding one gold, one silver, and an individual bronze through Prannoy. The highest medal tally was achieved during the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, where India won five bronze medals.
The team will feature established pairs across various categories, including men's doubles duo Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun, who are in excellent form. The women's doubles team, consisting of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, will also be pivotal, supported by rising stars Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam.
Complete Team for the Asian Games 2026
Team Championship
Men's Team: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, H. S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, M. R. Arjun, Dhruv Kapila
Women's Team: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Devika Sihag, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam, Simran Singhi, Tanisha Crasto
Individual Championship
Men's Singles (MS): Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty
Women's Singles (WS): PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda
Men's Doubles (MD): Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty; Hariharan Amsakarunan / M. R. Arjun
Women's Doubles (WD): Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela; Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi
Mixed Doubles (XD): Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto.