When the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 begin in Guwahati this October, it will mark a special moment for Indian badminton.
Seventeen years after Pune hosted the event in 2008, the country will once again welcome the world’s best under-19 shuttlers this time at the state-of-the-art National Centre of Excellence (NCE).
Running from October 6–19, the championships will feature two parts: the Mixed Team Championships (Suhandinata Cup) from October 6–11 and the Individual Championships (Eye Level Cups) from October 13–19. For India, it’s a golden opportunity to showcase a new generation of talent, but also a test of depth, adaptability, and mental resilience.
India’s record at the World Juniors stands at 1 gold, 4 silvers, and 6 bronzes, ranking ninth in the all-time table. The solitary gold came from Saina Nehwal in 2008—the last time India hosted. This history brings both pride and pressure for the current squad. The challenge: to break through against traditional powerhouses like China, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.
Home Advantage A Double-Edged Sword
The NCE in Guwahati, inaugurated in 2023, offers world-class conditions 16 BWF-approved courts, top-tier rehab and sports science facilities, and a familiar playing environment. Local support could lift performances, but home tournaments also bring heightened expectations. Young players will need to balance adrenaline with composure.
New Team Format, New Strategies
The 2025 edition will debut a relay-style team format:
- Best-of-three sets, each to 45 points.
- A set has five matches—MS, WS, MD, WD, XD.
- Play switches after one side reaches nine points.
This format demands consistency across all five disciplines rather than relying on star players to carry the load. Tactical adaptability especially in match order and handling momentum shifts will be key.
Squad Selection and Preparation
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has combined direct entries for proven medalists with selection trials to ensure current form decides the final squad.
- Direct qualifiers: Tanvi Sharma and Vennala Kalagotla (Asian Junior medalists).
- Trials at the NCE from August 9–13 decided the remaining spots, with eligibility based on national rankings, junior/senior BWF standings, and recent performances.
Women’s Singles India’s Strongest Medal Bet : India fields an exceptional lineup led by World No. 1 junior Tanvi Sharma, Super 300 runner-up and Asian Junior bronze medalist. She is joined by:
- Unnati Hooda already a senior circuit winner, with a recent victory over PV Sindhu.
- Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj – multiple international titles and senior quarterfinal finishes in 2025.
- Vennala Kalagotla – Asian Junior bronze medalist.
Depth here is unmatched, making WS India’s most likely gold medal source.
Men’s Doubles World No. 1 Junior Pair : Bhargav Ram Arigela & Viswa Tej Gobburu enter as the top-ranked junior pair, with a 2025 Estonian International final and strong Asian Junior results. Their form makes them prime medal contenders.
Men’s Singles Depth Over Dominance : Players like Rounak Chouhan and Suryaksh Rawat bring international exposure, but no standout title runs yet. The new team format could see them play key supporting roles.
Women’s Doubles – Dark Horse Potential : Pairs like Vennala/Reshika and the Rawat sisters have shown team-event consistency. A medal is possible with the right draw.
Mixed Doubles – Work in Progress : India’s XD pairs have been competitive in group stages but lack major breakthrough results. Valuable for team points, but individual podium finishes will be tough.
Strengths
- Elite women’s singles depth unmatched by most nations.
- World No. 1 men’s doubles pair with proven consistency.
- Home-ground familiarity and world-class facilities.
- Balanced selection process ensuring both proven winners and in-form talent.
Challenges
- Historical medal gap compared to badminton giants.
- Mixed doubles and men’s singles depth still developing.
- Pressure of hosting – replicating or surpassing 2008’s gold could weigh heavily.
- Adapting to new team format without losing consistency.
Medal Outlook
- Likely Gold Contenders: Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles.
- Possible Podium: Women’s Doubles, Men’s Singles.
- Team Event: Quarterfinals expected; semifinals would be a significant achievement.
Recommendations
- Sports Psychology Focus – Prepare players to handle the emotional demands of a home championship.
- Format-Specific Tactics – Strategize for the “switch at 9 points” and relay dynamics.
- Doubles Development – Build depth beyond the top MD pair.
- Leverage NCE Year-Round – Keep the training advantage beyond this tournament.
- Smooth Senior Transition – Support players already performing in senior events.
The BWF World Junior Championships 2025 will be more than just a tournament for India—it’s a test of its junior badminton ecosystem. A strong showing in Guwahati could energize the sport nationally, inspire the next wave of talent, and signal that Indian badminton’s future is as bright as its present.
Team India for the World Junior Championships 2025, Guwahati
BS
Rounak Chouhan
Suryakash Rawat
Ganana Dattu
Hmar Lalthazuala
GS
Tanvi Sharma
Vennala Kalagotla
Unnati Hooda
Rakshitha Sree Santosh Ramraj
BD
Bhavya Chhabra/Sumith A.R
Bhargav Ram Arigela/Biswa Tej Gobbauru
Vishnu Kedhar Kode/Mithilesh P.K.
GD
Vennala Kalagotla/Reshika U
Gayatri Rawat/Mansa Rawat
Tanoo Chandra/Taarini Suri
XD
Bhavya Chhabra/Vishakha Toppo
Lalramsanga/Taarini Suri
Vishnu Kedhar/Keerthy Manchala
Vansh Dev/Dianka Waldia
