2024 Syed Modi International – Big Takeaways, Misses, and Future Direction of Indian Badminton

INDIAN WINS 3 out of 5 FINALS at the 2024 Syed Modi International Badminton Championship

The 2024 Syed Modi International Badminton Championship provided a lot of insights into the current state of Indian badminton. While the tournament had a depleted field with several top players absent, India still contested the final in all five disciplines, making it a significant event for Indian badminton.

There were some major victories, surprising upsets, and learning opportunities for both established and rising stars.

What Was Expected:

1. India’s Dominance in Finals: India was expected to contest multiple finals, especially in the women’s singles, men’s singles, and men’s doubles. The presence of seasoned players like P.V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen set high expectations for a successful tournament campaign.
2. Opportunities for Young Players: With a relatively weaker field, young Indian players like Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila in mixed doubles, and Prateek & Prathvi in men’s doubles, were expected to step up and gain valuable experience, even if they did not win titles. This was a chance for India’s rising stars to make their mark.
3. A Strong Push from the Top Seeds: Sindhu was expected to make a strong push for her 3rd Syed Modi title, while Lakshya Sen was also aiming to continue his upward trajectory. There were also hopes for Satvik and Chirag to make a strong run in men’s doubles.
4. What Actually Turned Out:
   1. India Reached Finals in All Disciplines: India had a strong presence across all categories, reaching the finals. While the field lacked top competition, Indian players capitalized on the opportunity to showcase their talent. The tournament served as a chance for India’s stars to assert themselves on home soil.
   2. Sindhu’s Historic Win: P.V. Sindhu clinched her third Syed Modi title, defeating Luo Yu Wu of China in straight games, 21-14, 21-16. This victory marked a significant milestone, as she equalized Saina Nehwal’s record of three titles at this event. It was her only title of the year, providing her with a much-needed confidence boost heading into the new season.

   

    

3. Lakshya Sen’s Dominant Victory: In men’s singles, Lakshya Sen delivered one of the most one-sided matches of the day, defeating Jia Heng Jason Teh of Singapore 21-6, 21-7. His commanding performance showed that he is moving in the right direction and will continue to be a strong contender in men’s singles on the world stage.

4. Women’s Doubles – A Historic First for Treesa and Pullela: The women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Pullela Gayathri made history by winning their first-ever BWF World Tour title at a Super 300 level or higher. The pair triumphed in straight games against the Chinese duo.They are the only Indians to qualify for the BWF tour finals this year. This marked a huge milestone for Indian women’s doubles.

5. Mixed Doubles: Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila put up a valiant fight in the mixed doubles final against the Thai pair of Puavaranukroh D and Paewsampran S. Although they didn’t win the title, the three-game battle demonstrated their improvement and potential. Their performance was one of the bright spots, showcasing that India’s mixed doubles future is in capable hands.

Misses and Upsets:

1. Kiran George’s Early Exit: Kiran George, one of the rising stars in men’s singles, failed to make a deep run in the tournament. Despite high expectations, he was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and bowed out early, disappointing fans who were hoping to see him
   progress further.
2. Priyanshu’s Semi-Final Loss: Priyanshu Rajawat, a talented men’s singles player, lost easily in the semi-finals. His loss was a letdown, as many had hoped for a more competitive showing. He’ll need to work on his consistency and mental toughness to take his game to the next level.
3. Women’s Doubles – Ashwini Ponnappa’s Return: After a long break following the Paris Olympics, Ashwini Ponnappa made her return to competitive action alongside Tanisha Crasto in women’s doubles. The pair made a solid run to the semi-finals, proving they still have the skill to challenge at the top level. Their comeback was a positive development for India, particularly in a discipline where the country is looking to establish more depth.
4. Upset in Women’s Singles – Malvika Bansod’s Early Exit: One of the biggest shocks of the tournament came in women’s singles, where second seed Malvika Bansod was upset by young Shriyanshi Vallishetty in two straight games. This unexpected defeat highlighted the unpredictability of the tournament and showed that India’s younger players are ready to make an impact.
5. Mixed Doubles – Sikki and Sumit Reddy’s Second-Round Loss: In mixed doubles, Sikki Reddy and Sumit Reddy, the top-seeded pair, were ousted in the second round.

Future Direction:

1. Men’s Doubles Development: The early withdrawal of Sathvik and Chirag and the mixed performances from younger pairs like Prateek and Prathvi highlighted the need for greater depth and consistency in men’s doubles. Sathvik and Chirag are India’s top pair and will need to return to full fitness to continue their journey. Meanwhile, Prateek and Prathvi should be groomed through more international exposure to develop into a strong backup pair.
2. Mixed Doubles Focus: Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila have shown they have the potential to succeed at the highest level, but they need more experience and consistency in pressure situations. Their close loss in the final was encouraging, but future success will depend on their ability to stay competitive against the world’s top mixed doubles pairs. Indian badminton must continue to develop a pipeline of young players for mixed doubles to ensure future success.
3. Women’s Singles – Malvika Bansod’s Development: Malvika Band’s early exit was a setback, but she is one of India’s most promising women’s singles players. It’s important for her to regroup, learn from this experience, and continue her development. Meanwhile, P.V. Sindhu remains the leading figure in women’s singles, and more young talent like Vallishetty will need to emerge to strengthen India’s women’s singles circuit.
4. Women’s Doubles – Nurturing More Pairs: The success of Treesa Jolly and Pullela Gayathri has brought new optimism to India’s women’s doubles scene. However, the country needs to nurture more women’s doubles pairsand ensure that this discipline continues to grow. The return of Ashwini Ponnappa and Sikki Reddy’s solid performances show that experience can still play a key role, but the future needs younger talent coming through.
5. Men’s Singles: Kiran George and Priyanshu Rajawat both had disappointing tournaments, but they are key to the future of men’s singles in India. Consistency will be key for these young players if they want to compete with the best. More exposure to international tournaments will help them adjust their game to the world stage.

Conclusion:

The 2024 Syed Modi International was a mixed bag for Indian badminton. While India reached the finals in all five disciplines and achieved significant victories, including Sindhu’s third title, Lakshya Sen’s dominant win, and Treesa & Pullela’s historic women’s doubles victory, there were notable missed opportunities as well. Early exits from key players in men’s singles and mixed doubles, along with surprising upsets, highlighted areas for improvement. Moving forward, the focus should be on building consistency, gaining more international exposure, and developing young talent in all disciplines. The future of Indian badminton looks promising, but these setbacks and lessons learned will be crucial for the next phase of growth.