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 who quietly underlined why pedigree still matters at the highest level of the sport. Prannoy’s straight-games win over Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu, the runner-up at last year’s edition, was more than just a first-round result. It was a statement of intent from a player who endured a difficult and stop-start 2025, largely due to fitness issues, and arrived at the India Open only after a late opening in the draw following the withdrawal of Denmark’s Anders Antonsen. Given that context, Prannoy’s 22–20, 21–18 victory carried added significance.
Ranked world No. 38, Prannoy entered the contest as the underdog against a younger, higher-ranked opponent who has been a consistent presence on the BWF World Tour. Yet from the outset, the Indian looked mentally clear and tactically sharp. He was prepared to stay in long rallies, absorb pressure, and wait for the right moments to attack hallmarks of his best badminton.
The opening game set the tone for what was to follow. Lee Cheuk Yiu had his chances, even holding two game points, but Prannoy refused to panic. He trusted his defense, retrieved relentlessly, and forced Lee into playing one extra shot time and again. Saving both game points, Prannoy swung momentum with a series of steep smashes and tight net replies to steal the first game 22–20. It was a crucial psychological blow, one that visibly unsettled the Hong Kong shuttler.
In the second game, Prannoy grew in confidence. His down-the-line smashes found their mark with increasing regularity, and his ability to vary pace disrupted Lee’s rhythm. While the rallies remained intense, the Indian controlled the critical exchanges, closing out the match 21–18 to seal a spot in the second round. For a player who has spoken openly about the frustrations of injuries and limited opportunities last season, the performance felt cathartic.
After the match, Prannoy admitted that simply being on court at a Super 750 event was something he did not take lightly. He spoke about reminding himself to enjoy the contest, regardless of the scoreboard. That mindset was evident in his body language calm, composed, and free of the visible tension that had crept into his game at times in 2025. The reward for his efforts is a second-round clash against former world champion and eighth seed Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, a matchup that promises another stern test.
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While Prannoy’s victory stood out, he was not alone among the senior Indian players in delivering under pressure. Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth also drew on his experience to overcome a spirited challenge from compatriot Tharun M. After dropping the opening game 15–21, Srikanth dominated the second 21–6 before holding his nerve in a tense decider to win 21–19. Like Prannoy, Srikanth is searching for consistency after a difficult 2025, and his ability to close out the match from 17–19 down in the third game highlighted his enduring competitive instincts.
Yet, in many ways, the day belonged most to Prannoy. His journey over the past year has been one of perseverance rather than progress, marked by fitness struggles and limited match exposure. To arrive at the India Open as a late entrant and defeat a player of Lee Cheuk Yiu’s caliber suggests that Prannoy’s physical condition and confidence are trending in the right direction.
Elsewhere in the draw, Malvika Bansod ensured Indian interest remained alive in women’s singles with a composed 21–18, 21–19 win over Pai Yu Po of Chinese Taipei. However, former world champion PV Sindhu suffered a first-round exit, going down in three games to Vietnam’s Thuy Linh Nguyen. Sixteen-year-old Tanvi Sharma, despite her eventual loss to second seed Wang Zhi Yi of China, impressed with her fearless approach and pushed the Chinese star deep into three games.
As the tournament moves into the second round, Prannoy’s presence adds a layer of intrigue to the men’s singles draw. His next opponent, Loh Kean Yew, represents a significant hurdle, but the Indian will take confidence from the clarity and control he displayed in the opening round. For Prannoy, this India Open is not just about results; it is about rediscovering rhythm, belief, and a sense of belonging at the top tier of the BWF Tour.
On Wednesday in New Delhi, he showed that when his body allows him to compete freely, his badminton remains more than good enough to trouble the best.
