P V Sindhu, Lakshya Sen Headline Strong Indian Squad for 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships

India will field one of their strongest squads in recent years as the country prepares for the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) 2026, scheduled in Qingdao, China from February 3–8.

With the women entering the competition as defending champions and the men seeking to upgrade their previous bronze-medal finishes, the selection reflects a clear intent: India want to be in contention for titles in both categories. The teams have been chosen based on current ranking, performance on the international circuit, and depth of experience.

As expected, the women’s squad will be led by former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu, who remains the centrepiece of India’s team strategy. Sindhu’s big-match pedigree, coupled with India’s emerging crop of singles players, provides the side with a balanced, competitive look as they attempt to defend their continental crown.

On the men’s side, the backbone of India’s historic 2022 Thomas Cup-winning side returns. World No. 13 Lakshya Sen headlines the singles lineup, supported by former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, the seasoned HS Prannoy, US Open champion Ayush Shetty, and talented youngster Tharun Mannepalli. The depth in singles is complemented by one of the world’s most formidable doubles pairings Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, bronze medallists at the World Championships and consistent top-level performers on the BWF World Tour.

The doubles unit further includes Sai Pratheek K and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, finalists at the Guwahati Masters, along with the improving Hariharan Amsakarunan, giving India the flexibility to experiment with combinations based on opposition and match situations.

BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra expressed confidence in the squad’s balance and potential. “Over the last few years, Indian teams have consistently been medal contenders at the Asian and world level, and this squad has the right mix of form and experience to challenge for the crown in both categories. I wish them all the best for the championships,” he said.

In the women’s singles lineup, rising star Tanvi Sharma, silver medallist at the World Junior Championships, and Unnati Hooda, one of India’s most promising teenage talents, will support Sindhu. They are joined by Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj and the experienced Malvika Bansod, both of whom have shown steady progress on the domestic and international circuits.

India’s women’s doubles department one of the country’s emerging strengths will be led by Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, fresh off their title-winning run at the Syed Modi International. Their ability to rise in team events has been well documented. The squad also features Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto, providing the coaches with variety in pairing options and tactical depth across ties.

As India prepare for BATC 2026, expectations are understandably high. The women’s team, having scripted history in the previous edition, will look to assert dominance once again, while the men’s team will eye a breakthrough after twice settling for bronze. With the next Olympic cycle underway and squad members in various stages of rebuilding or peaking, the Qingdao event offers an early-season opportunity to test combinations, evaluate form, and make a statement on the continental stage.

BATC 2026 – India Team

Men: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, Sai Pratheek K, Hariharan Amsakarunan

Women: P V Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Malvika Bansod, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Tanisha Crasto

ENDS