Indian badminton enjoyed a productive and confidence-boosting week on the international circuit as the country secured two titles at the Yonex Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2025, underlining growing depth across disciplines.
The men’s singles crown was claimed by Meiraba Luwang Maisnam, while the men’s doubles title went to the Indian pairing of Niranjan G N Nandakumar and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi. India narrowly missed a third title after Tanvi Reddy finished runner-up in the women’s singles following a hard-fought three-game final.
The twin titles, coupled with a finalist finish, marked a strong overall showing for the Indian contingent at the International Challenge level—an important rung in the BWF tournament structure that often serves as a proving ground for players pushing towards higher-tier events.
Meiraba Luwang’s Commanding Run in Men’s Singles
In the men’s singles draw, Meiraba Luwang delivered a composed and assured campaign to lift the title, capping a week where he consistently controlled matches and handled pressure situations with maturity. The Manipuri shuttler dropped just one game across the tournament, a testament to both his physical readiness and tactical clarity.
Meiraba’s run gathered momentum with each round, as he efficiently negotiated early-stage opponents before producing a resilient three-game victory in the semi-finals. That match proved to be the sternest test of his campaign, forcing him to adapt mid-match and showcase his ability to reset mentally. In the final, Meiraba was back to his clinical best, dictating rallies, controlling the forecourt, and closing out points decisively to secure the men’s singles crown.
For Meiraba, the Bangladesh International Challenge title is a timely boost as he looks to consolidate his position among India’s next tier of men’s singles contenders. At a time when domestic competition is intense, performances like these not only bring ranking points but also reaffirm a player’s readiness to compete consistently on the international stage.
Niranjan–Ruban Shine in Men’s Doubles
India’s second title came in the men’s doubles, where Niranjan G N Nandakumar and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi produced a steady and disciplined campaign to emerge champions. The Indian pair showcased impressive coordination, sharp front-court work, and solid defensive organisation throughout the week, growing in confidence as the tournament progressed.
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Their journey to the title was marked by straight-game wins in multiple rounds, highlighting their ability to control tempo and avoid being dragged into extended contests. In the final, Niranjan and Ruban faced a Vietnamese pair and delivered a composed performance under pressure. Winning in straight games, the Indian duo maintained clarity in shot selection and capitalised on key moments, particularly in the latter stages of both games, to seal the championship.
The title is a significant milestone for the pairing, especially as Indian men’s doubles continues to search for consistent combinations beyond the established elite. Success at the International Challenge level provides valuable momentum and opportunities to step up into higher-grade tournaments, where exposure to stronger fields becomes critical.
Tanvi Reddy’s Fighting Effort in Women’s Singles
India’s campaign came close to yielding a third title through Tanvi Reddy, who finished runner-up in the women’s singles after a closely contested three-game final. Tanvi’s run to the final was marked by determination and adaptability, as she negotiated a competitive draw to reach the title match.
In the final, Tanvi showed resilience and fighting spirit, pushing the match deep and testing her opponent across all three games. While she ultimately fell short, the performance underlined her growing consistency at the International Challenge level and suggested that further breakthroughs may not be far away.
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Overall, India’s haul of two titles and one runner-up finish reflected a solid collective performance and reinforced the importance of International Challenge tournaments in developing depth across disciplines. Such events offer Indian players crucial match exposure, ranking points, and the opportunity to test their progress against a diverse international field.
The success in Bangladesh also highlighted encouraging signs across men’s singles and men’s doubles—two areas where India is keen to build stronger pipelines beneath the top tier. With players like Meiraba Luwang, Niranjan G N Nandakumar, and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi delivering results, the focus will now shift to sustaining this form across the rest of the season.
As the 2025 calendar gathers pace, India’s performance at the Yonex Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge serves as a reminder that consistent investment in the International Series and Challenge circuit remains vital. For the players involved, the results provide momentum. For Indian badminton, they offer reassurance that the next wave is steadily finding its footing on the global stage.
