Category: Badminton

The international badminton calendar was jolted on January 24, 2026, when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed that the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) had relinquished its hosting rights for the 2026 BWF World Junior Championships. What was initially expected to be a routine organisational shift has instead revealed a much deeper structural crisis within the…

The Indonesia Masters 2026 ended in disappointment and controversy for Indian badminton as both P. V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen crashed out at the quarterfinal stage, bringing India’s campaign in Jakarta to a premature close. While Lakshya’s defeat came in the form of a hard-fought upset, Sindhu’s exit was overshadowed by one of the most…

When Saina Nehwal formally drew the curtain on her playing career in early 2026, Indian sport did not just lose a former World No.1 it marked the end of an era that fundamentally altered what Indian badminton believed was possible. Medals and rankings tell only part of the story. Saina’s true legacy lies in a…

PV Sindhu once again underlined her enduring class and competitive fire at the Indonesia Masters 2026, as she defeated Denmark’s Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt in straight games to book a place in the quarterfinals. The 21–19, 21–18 victory, achieved in 42 intense minutes in Jakarta, was significant for more than just progression in a Super 500…

Lakshya Sen continued his impressive run at the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2026 by storming into the quarterfinals with a dominant straight-games victory over Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan. The Indian shuttler produced a clinical performance to win 21–10, 21–11, underlining his growing confidence and form as the Super 500 tournament in Jakarta moves into its business…

The opening round of the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2026 delivered a powerful snapshot of where Indian badminton stands in early 2026 a mix of resilience, heartbreak, promise and the growing depth of the women’s singles pipeline. While PV Sindhu once again showed why she remains India’s most reliable performer on the World Tour, the results…

The DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2026 produced a dramatic and emotionally charged Round of 32 for Indian badminton, one that perfectly captured the two contrasting phases of Indian men’s singles right now the resilience of the veterans and the restless search for stability among the next generation. While Kidambi Srikanth rolled back the years with a…

Lakshya Sen produced a performance that was as much about resilience as it was about skill as he fought his way into the Round of 16 of the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2026. Up against Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tzu Wei in the opening round, the Indian shuttler was forced to dig deep before finally prevailing 21–13,…

At a stage of his career where questions often outweigh expectations, Kidambi Srikanth delivered a stirring reminder of his resilience and competitive fire at the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters 2026. In the men’s singles Round of 32, the former world number one produced a hard-fought, energy-sapping victory over Japan’s Koki Watanabe, winning 21–15, 21–23, 24–22 to…

The India Open has long been regarded as one of the flagship events on the BWF World Tour, a tournament that reflects India’s growing stature in global badminton. Traditionally staged in New Delhi, it has hosted Olympic champions, world number ones, and some of the sport’s most memorable matches. The 2026 edition, held from January…

The India Open has traditionally been one of the crown jewels of the BWF World Tour. Held annually in New Delhi, it has showcased some of the finest badminton talent in the world and helped establish India as a growing powerhouse in the sport. The 2026 version of the competition, which took place from January…

When Saina Nehwal confirmed her retirement from competitive badminton in January 2026, it felt less like the end of a career and more like the closing of a defining chapter in Indian sport. There was no grand farewell match or emotional press conference. Instead, the announcement came quietly, almost matter-of-factly, much like the grit-driven personality…

Indian badminton enters its third consecutive week on the international circuit with a strong sense of urgency as the Indonesia Masters Super 500 gets underway in Jakarta from January 20 to 25. After a demanding stretch that included the Malaysia Open and the India Open, the spotlight now shifts to the iconic Istora Senayan, a…

India’s campaign at the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026 came to an end on Friday after Lakshya Sen fell in a hard-fought three-game quarterfinal against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. In a contest decided by fine margins and shifting court conditions, Sen went down 21-17, 13-21, 18-21, bringing the curtains down…

Badminton is on the brink of one of its most significant regulatory shifts in decades. With the Badminton World Federation (BWF) expanding the trial of the 25-second time clock system at the 2026 Indonesia Masters, the sport is moving decisively away from subjective officiating toward objective, time-based standardization. What may appear, at first glance, to…

India’s women’s singles challenge at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 came to an end on Thursday, but Malvika Bansod’s performance against China’s Han Yue offered valuable insight into where the young Indian stands in her development curve. Facing the fifth seed and one of the most consistent players on the BWF World Tour, Malvika went…

Lakshya Sen delivered a statement performance on home soil as he surged into the quarterfinals of the BWF India Open Super 750, defeating Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in straight games at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. In a high-quality Round of 16 encounter between two evenly matched top-15 players, Sen prevailed 21-19, 21-10 to become the first…

BWF World Tour 2027–2030: A Commercial Reset That Redefines Global Badminton The Badminton World Federation’s proposed World Tour structure for the 2027–2030 cycle signals the most far-reaching transformation in the professional game since the launch of the World Tour format itself. Far from a routine calendar reshuffle, the next quadrennial cycle represents a deliberate shift…

The opening round of the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 delivered a telling snapshot of Indian women’s singles badminton at a crossroads, where promise and transition sat side by side. While 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma announced her arrival on the big stage with a fearless performance against China’s Wang Zhi Yi, former world champion PV Sindhu endured…

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 offered Indian badminton a timely reminder of the value of experience, as HS Prannoy rolled back the clock to produce one of his most assured performances in recent times. On a day when youth and promise were on display across courts in New Delhi, it was the 33-year-old from Kerala…

India’s Malvika Bansod continued her steady return to top-level badminton with a confident straight-games victory at the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026, booking her place in the Round of 16 of the BWF Super 750 tournament. The 24-year-old, currently ranked World No. 50, overcame Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu-Po (WR 65) 21–18, 21–19 in the Round of…

Former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth reminded the badminton world of his enduring class and competitive resolve as he battled past compatriot Tharun Mannepalli in a gripping all-Indian Round of 32 encounter at the India Open 2026. In a contest that swung dramatically in momentum, Srikanth recovered from a game down to register a 15–21, 21–6,…

India’s top women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, began their Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 campaign with a composed and convincing victory, underlining their growing assurance on the BWF World Tour as the Super 750 tournament got underway at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Tuesday. The Syed Modi International champions dismantled Thailand’s…

Lakshya Sen began his Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, producing a controlled and confident straight-games victory over compatriot Ayush Shetty to move into the pre-quarterfinals of the Super 750 event in New Delhi. The 2022 champion needed just 36 minutes to seal a 21-12, 21-15 win in what was one of the…

The opening round of the India Open 2026 promises a compelling all-Indian showdown as Lakshya Sen vs Ayush Shetty in what is arguably the most intriguing first-round match of the Super 750 tournament. Beyond the immediate stakes of progression, this contest represents a deeper narrative within Indian men’s singles badminton, a meeting point between established…

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 has witnessed significant late changes to its main draw, with Indian shuttlers Tanvi Sharma, Tharun Mannepalli and the women’s doubles pair of Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam earning promotion following the withdrawal of several top international players on the eve of the Super 750 tournament. Among the most notable…

The India Open 2026, a Super 750 event on the BWF World Tour, gets into full swing on Tuesday with an action-packed Round of 32 schedule at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. For Indian badminton, the tournament represents both opportunity and examination a chance to convert depth into results on home soil against a strong…

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 carries a significance beyond its status as one of the most prestigious stops on the BWF World Tour. For India’s top shuttlers, including former world champion PV Sindhu and men’s doubles stars Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, performing well at home has always held special meaning. This year, that motivation…

The YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2026 is set to be one of the marquee stops on the international badminton calendar, bringing the world’s best shuttlers to New Delhi for a week of elite competition. As a BWF World Tour Super 750 event, the tournament carries significant ranking points, substantial prize money, and major implications for the…

Rujula Ramu capped off an impressive week in Tallinn by winning the women’s singles title at the Estonian International, underlining her growing stature on the international circuit. The Indian shuttler produced a series of controlled, assured performances through the draw, culminating in a straight-games victory in the final and marking an important milestone in her…

PV Sindhu’s campaign at the Malaysia Open 2026 may have ended in the semifinals, but the week in Kuala Lumpur marked another important step in her gradual return to elite consistency on the BWF World Tour. The former world champion finished her run with a straight-games loss to China’s Wang Zhi Yi, going down 16–21,…

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has announced a strong 20-member contingent for the 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships, set to be held from February 3 to 8 in Qingdao, China. The tournament, which also serves as the Asian qualification event for the 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, presents India with a unique blend…

The women’s singles semi-final at the Malaysia Open 2026 promises a fascinating clash of styles and storylines as Pusarla Venkata Sindhu vs Wang Zhiyi as she takes on world No.2 Wang Zhiyi at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur. It is a matchup that has grown into one of the most compelling rivalries on the BWF…

In a significant boost for Indian badminton, Eurosport India and the Badminton Association of India (BAI) have entered into a three-year broadcast partnership for the Yonex Sunrise India Open, covering the 2026, 2027 and 2028 editions of the prestigious tournament. The agreement marks a decisive shift from the earlier year-on-year broadcast arrangements, signalling a long-term…

PV Sindhu’s run at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 has been one of the most encouraging stories for Indian badminton in recent times. On Friday, the former world champion booked her place in the semifinals after reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi was forced to retire due to injury, but not before Sindhu had stamped her…

India enjoyed another strong day at the Malaysia Open Super 1000, with its premier men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty cruising into the quarterfinals, while young singles prospect Ayush Shetty bowed out after a courageous and high-quality battle against world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. For Satwik and Chirag, fondly dubbed the “Brothers…

PV Sindhu’s 2026 season has begun with authority, confidence, and a sense of purpose that has been missing for a while at the very top tier of the BWF Tour. Her straight-games demolition of Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 was not just another early-round win it was a performance that underlined…

India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, Satwik–Chirag opened their 2026 season in emphatic fashion, cruising into the Round of 16 of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open Super 1000 with a straight-games victory over Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan. The third seeds required just 35 minutes to close out a 21-13,…

PV Sindhu began her 2026 season on a positive note, storming into the Round of 16 at the BWF Super 1000 Malaysia Open with a hard-fought straight-games victory over Chinese Taipei’s Sung Shuo Yun. The former world champion prevailed 21-13, 22-20 in a match that tested both her physical readiness and mental resolve, especially in…

Lakshya Sen opened his 2026 season with a composed and hard-earned victory at the Malaysia Open, progressing to the Round of 16 at the Super 1000 tournament after defeating Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh in three games. The Indian shuttler prevailed 21-16, 15-21, 21-14 in a match that lasted close to 70 minutes, underlining both…

Indian badminton witnessed one of its most eye-catching moments of the early 2026 season as 20-year-old Ayush Shetty pulled off a stunning first-round victory over Olympic bronze medallist and home favourite Lee Zii Jia at the Malaysia Open Super 1000. Playing with remarkable composure on one of the sport’s biggest stages, Shetty defeated the Malaysian…

The Petronas Malaysia Open 2026 is more than just the first tournament of the BWF World Tour calendar. As a Super 1000 event, it sets the competitive tone for the season, tests off-season preparation, and immediately exposes gaps between ambition and readiness. For India, the Kuala Lumpur opener represents a delicate balance between rebuilding momentum,…

Indian badminton’s gradual shift towards doubles specialization in the mid-2020s produced several experimental partnerships, but few were as intriguing or as instructive as the mixed doubles pairing of Sathish-Aadya. Their separation at the end of the 2025 season was not abrupt, emotional, or controversial. Instead, it was the outcome of a season-long strategic divergence that…

Indian women’s badminton has rarely produced prodigies who combine early results with structural backing and tactical clarity. Between 2024 and 2026, Tanvi Sharma has emerged as an exception not as a fleeting junior sensation, but as a carefully evolved high-performance athlete whose trajectory signals a deeper shift in how Indian badminton develops elite talent. At…

Indian badminton’s 2025 season will not be remembered for a flood of titles or a single defining superstar moment. Instead, it will stand out as the year the sport quietly but decisively changed shape. Power moved away from a handful of long-serving torchbearers and spread across age groups, disciplines, and formats. By the end of…

The Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026 is set for a significant upgrade in 2026, with India’s premier international badminton tournament moving to the iconic Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Scheduled from January 13 to 18, the Super 750 event will now be staged at a venue that not only carries historical weight in Indian…

Indian badminton’s talent map is changing. Few stories capture this shift better than that of Surya Charishma Tamiri, the 19-year-old from Andhra Pradesh whose triumph at the 87th Senior National Badminton Championships in December 2025 marked both a personal breakthrough and a broader moment for the domestic circuit. Excellence is no longer confined to a…

Backed by vocal home support and buoyed by growing maturity on court, Surya Charishma Tamiri capped a memorable week by clinching the women’s singles title at the Senior Badminton Nationals Championships, while Rithvik Sanjeevi S showcased nerves of steel to lift the men’s singles crown, bringing the curtain down on a gripping championship in Vijayawada…