In the vibrant landscape of Indian badminton, where legends like Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu have left indelible marks, a new star has begun to emerge—Anmol Kharb.
At just 17, this Haryana-born shuttler has already demonstrated the skills, determination, and mental toughness necessary to become the next big name in Indian sports. With her relentless work ethic, technical prowess, and ability to perform under pressure, Anmol is setting the stage for a promising future that could define the next generation of Indian badminton.
Early Life and Foundations in Badminton
Born on January 20, 2007, in Faridabad, Haryana, Anmol Kharb’s journey with badminton began at a young age, inspired by her elder brother, Hardik. While Hardik eventually decided to prioritise academics, Anmol pursued the sport passionately, encouraged and supported by her family.
Her father, Devender, an advocate by profession, and her mother, Rajbala, ensured she had every opportunity to succeed. Anmol started her training at Dayanand Public School in Faridabad before moving to Noida’s Sunrise Shuttlers Academy, where she was coached by Kusumm Singh, a former national player and contemporary of Saina Nehwal.
Recognising her potential early on, her family made sacrifices to help her chase her dreams. Rajbala moved with her to Noida to provide the support needed for Anmol’s rigorous training schedule.
Anmol’s training regimen was as unique as it was demanding. She attended early-morning physical fitness sessions led by a former international boxer at a local park, building the strength and endurance that have become integral to her game. These sessions honed her power, making her smashes both precise and devastating—hallmarks of her playing style.
The Journey to Success
Anmol’s rise in Indian badminton began with her first major success in 2019, when she won the U-17 All India Ranking title in Hyderabad at just 12 years old. By 2020, she had claimed national titles in both singles and doubles in the U-17 category, proving her versatility and dominance at the junior level.
Her consistent performances earned her a place in the Khelo India scheme, a government initiative to support promising young athletes.
In 2023, Anmol made her senior debut in spectacular fashion, becoming the Senior National Champion at the age of 16. At the championship in Guwahati, she overcame seasoned players like Ashmita Chaliha in the semifinals and Tanvi Khanna in the final.
This remarkable feat marked the beginning of her transition to the senior circuit and solidified her status as a rising star in Indian badminton.
Making History in Malaysia
The highlight of Anmol’s young career came at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024, held in Selangor, Malaysia.
India had previously won gold in the Thomas Cup (men’s team event), but this was the first time India won gold in the Badminton Asia Team Championships (mixed team event).
Anmol’s inclusion as the third singles player alongside PV Sindhu and Ashmita Chaliha raised hopes for a strong showing.
What followed was a series of stellar performances that not only brought India its first gold medal in the tournament but also established Anmol as a clutch player on the big stage.
In the group stage, she faced world No. 149 Wu Luo Yu from China 🇨🇳 , ranked significantly higher than her then world No. 472. Anmol stunned everyone with a hard-fought victory, coming back from a deficit to win 22-20, 14-21, 21-18. While India had already secured a spot in the quarterfinals, this victory set the tone for the team’s campaign.
In the semifinals against Japan, Anmol was called upon to play another decisive match, this time against world No. 29 Natsuki Nidaira, a former junior world championships bronze medalist.
With India’s hopes hinging on her performance, Anmol delivered a commanding 21-14, 21-18 victory, propelling India into the final for the first time in the tournament’s history. The final against Thailand 🇹🇭 was a nail-biting affair.
After PV Sindhu and the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand secured two wins, successive losses levelled the score at 2-2. The pressure was immense as Anmol stepped onto the court against world No. 45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong.
Undeterred, she dominated the match, winning 21-14, 21-9 in just 43 minutes and securing a historic gold medal for India. Her remarkable performance earned widespread acclaim, with Pullela Gopichand praising her grit and composure under pressure.
International Titles and Consistency
In September 2024, Anmol won her first international title at the Belgium International, a testament to her growing stature in world badminton. Starting as a qualifier, she overcame multiple challenges, including travel delays caused by visa issues, and won seven consecutive matches to lift the trophy.
In the final, she defeated Denmark’s 🇩🇰 Amalie Schulz in a three-game thriller (24-22, 12-21, 21-10).
Just two weeks later, she continued her winning streak at the Polish 🇵🇱 International, where she crushed Switzerland’s 🇨🇭 Milena Schnider 21-12, 21-8 in a one-sided final. These back-to-back victories solidified her reputation as a rising force on the international stage.
Also recently, she narrowly missed securing her first Super 100 title at the Guwahati Masters, losing a hard-fought three-game battle to China’s 🇨🇳 Cai Yan Yan in the women’s singles final. The 78-minute encounter was a thrilling contest with momentum shifting throughout.
Strengths and Playing Style
Anmol’s game is characterized by her powerful smashes, strategic placements, and ability to control the pace of rallies. Her mental toughness and composure under pressure are what set her apart. Known for thriving in crucial matches, she has drawn comparisons to Saina Nehwal for her tenacity and fighting spirit. Gopichand has described her as “very gritty” and believes she has the potential to replicate and even surpass the achievements of her idol.
What Lies Ahead
Currently ranked 78th in the world, Anmol has set her sights on breaking into the top 15. With guidance from top coaches, including Parupalli Kashyap, RMV Gurusaidutt, and Rahul Yadav, she is focusing on refining her game to compete consistently at the highest level. Her immediate goal is to accumulate ranking points by winning more international tournaments, a strategy that has already begun to bear fruit.
