India’s young badminton contingent continued to impress at the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Manama, Bahrain, with all three singles players Vennala Kalagotla, Suryaksh Rawat, and Tankara Gnana Dattu Talasila progressing to the quarterfinals, setting up some thrilling contests against Asia’s finest junior shuttlers.
The focus, however, will be on Vennala Kalagotla, who has been drawn against none other than the reigning Junior World Champion Anyapat Phichitpreechasak of Thailand in what promises to be a high-voltage quarterfinal showdown. The 16-year-old Vennala Kalagotla, India’s top representative in the girls’ singles, has looked composed and clinical in her campaign so far. Seeded seventh, she opened her tournament with a commanding 2–0 victory over Sri Lanka’s Ratnayake in the Round of 32, before dismissing Bejasa of the Philippines, also in straight games, in the Round of 16.
Vennala’s court coverage and control under pressure have been standout features of her performances. She has shown maturity beyond her years relying not only on her attacking flair but also on an improved defensive structure that has been in focus since her stint at the national junior camp in Hyderabad.
However, her quarterfinal opponent represents a different challenge altogether. Thailand’s Anyapat Phichitpreechasak, who claimed gold at the 2024 BWF World Junior Championships, is among the most technically sound players in the world in her age category. Known for her deceptive strokes and superior net play, Anyapat enters the match as the favorite but if Kalagotla can sustain her aggressive baseline rhythm and capitalize on Anyapat’s early-game errors, India could be looking at a major upset.
The match, scheduled for October 29, will be a true test of Vennala’s growing reputation as one of India’s most promising youth shuttlers.
Suryaksh Rawat shines in Boys’ Singles
In the boys’ singles, Suryaksh Rawat has emerged as the standout performer from the Indian camp. The No. 4 seed lived up to expectations, registering a pair of dominant straight-game victories to reach the last eight. Rawat began with a smooth 21–13, 21–8 win over Bangladesh’s Raj, before facing a tricky test against Huang Jyun Kai of Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16. Displaying remarkable composure in the crucial moments, he prevailed 21–14, 21–19, booking his place in the quarterfinals with an all-round display of precision and tactical awareness.
Next up for him is Luo from China, a technically proficient opponent with a powerful smash. Suryaksh’s ability to hold rallies and vary pace will be key in this match. His progress to the quarterfinals is another significant milestone for Indian badminton at the youth level, reflecting the country’s growing depth in the boys’ singles category.
India’s second boys’ singles representative, Tankara Gnana Dattu Talasila, has also been impressive. The eighth seed has barely put a foot wrong so far, defeating Tee from Singapore (2–0) and Dosano from the Philippines (2–0) to set up a quarterfinal meeting with Xu from China. Tankara’s precise shot-making and attacking intent have been key to his progression. While Xu represents one of the toughest draws of the tournament, Tankara’s confident run suggests he has the tools to push the Chinese shuttler deep into the match.
A disciplined start and consistent control over the net exchanges will be vital if he is to keep India’s medal hopes alive in the boys’ section.
Mixed results in Doubles
In the mixed doubles event, India’s campaign has been mixed. The pair of Aanya Bisht and Param Choudhary were knocked out in the Round of 32 after a straight-games loss (0–2) to the Korean duo Kim/Na, ending their journey early. Despite flashes of potential, they found it difficult to handle the superior rotation and speed of the Koreans.
However, the second pair Angel Punera and Bjorn Jaison advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating the Cambodian duo Malyneth/William 2–0 in their opener. They will next face Ramos/Calderon from the Philippines in what could be a tightly contested match. Should they progress, they are likely to face Indonesian pair Pramono/Candani in the quarterfinals another challenging draw for the young Indians.
The Asian Youth Games have provided a platform for India’s next generation to test themselves against Asia’s most competitive nations China, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Korea all of whom dominate world junior badminton. For India, this campaign reflects the success of ongoing grassroots development. With dedicated junior circuits and structured exposure through BAI’s national training programs, players like Suryaksh, Vennala, and Tankara represent a generation that has grown up with better international exposure and tactical training.
The performances in Bahrain so far also underline India’s ability to produce all-round talent not just in singles but across doubles disciplines, an area where the nation has traditionally lagged behind.
As the competition intensifies, all eyes will be on October 29, when all three Indian singles players step onto the court for their quarterfinal matches:
•Vennala Kalagotla (Girls’ 61kg) vs Anyapat Phichitpreechasak (THA)
•Suryaksh Rawat (Boys’ Singles) vs Luo (CHN)
•Tankara Talasila (Boys’ Singles) vs Xu (CHN)
While the draws are undeniably tough, each of these matches offers a chance for India to make a statement at the continental level. A win for any of them would mark a significant step forward both for their individual careers and for India’s growing reputation in youth badminton.
As the shuttles fly in Bahrain, India’s young guns are holding their ground against Asia’s best and no matter the results, the performances of Vennala, Suryaksh, and Tankara are setting the tone for the next wave of Indian badminton talent.
