India’s young women’s doubles pair, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam, continued their impressive run at the Syed Modi India International 2025, delivering one of the standout performances of the tournament by upsetting the World No. 31 Ukrainian duo Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr in the Round of 16.
The Indian pair, ranked 44th in the world, produced a composed and mature display to win 21-17, 24-22 in a tightly contested 40-minute encounter.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Priya and Shruti, not only because they defeated a higher-ranked, fourth-seeded pair but also because they showed the temperament to close out critical points under immense pressure. Their progression to the quarterfinals now sets up a challenging but exciting clash against Malaysia’s Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting, the seventh seeds who have been one of the most consistent pairs on the BWF Tour this season.
A Confident Start to the Tournament
Before their big win in the Round of 16, the Indian duo began their Syed Modi campaign in convincing fashion. In the opening round (R32), they comfortably defeated fellow Indians Reeva Evangelin and Samriddhi Singh with a dominant 21-8, 21-11 performance, sealing the match in just 29 minutes. That win set the tone for their confident approach, with sharp rotations, improved mid-court control, and an aggressive front-court presence from Priya, complemented by Shruti’s steady defensive foundation.
Against Buhrova and Kantemyr one of Europe’s most experienced young pairs Shruti and Priya needed both discipline and courage. The first game showcased exactly that. The Indians began strongly, applying pressure at the net and forcing the Ukrainians into several rushed lifts. Their effective use of flat exchanges allowed them to dictate pace and momentum, closing out the opening game 21-17.
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The second game, however, brought a much sterner test. Polina and Yevheniia increased their tempo, attacking more freely down the lines and challenging India’s defensive range. After trailing at intervals, Shruti and Priya fought their way back through clever placement and improved anticipation. The game extended into extra points, with the Ukrainians saving multiple match points. But on the crucial final rally, the Indian pair held their nerve, sealing the game 24-22 to complete the straight-games upset.
The victory reflects not just tactical maturity but also growing belief. In recent months, the pair has shown progress across Super 100 and Super 300 competitions, and a win of this magnitude further strengthens their upward trajectory as they eye higher-tier BWF events.
Quarterfinal Challenge: A Malaysian Test
Up next, Shruti and Priya face Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting, a pair in strong form. The Malaysians stormed into the quarterfinals after dismantling Chong Jie Yu and Vanessa Ng 21-8, 21-8 in the Round of 16. Their R16 scoreline underscores the clinical nature of their play this season this will be their sixth quarterfinal appearance of the year.
Ong and Ting are known for their tight net play, quick mid-court interceptions, and a rhythm-heavy playing style. For Priya and Shruti, the key will be maintaining the aggressive intent they displayed against the Ukrainian pair while minimizing errors in fast flat exchanges. Patience and precision will be essential, especially in long rallies, where the Malaysians often thrive.
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For Indian badminton, particularly in women’s doubles, the emergence of pairs like Priya-Shruti provides encouraging depth behind established duo Treesa Jolly–Gayatri Gopichand. A quarterfinal appearance at a home Super 300 event, combined with a win over a top-35 pair, is a valuable result for the young duo as they push toward the top 30 bracket.
With momentum on their side and a confidence-boosting win under their belt, Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam now enter the quarterfinals with renewed belief. A victory against Ong–Ting would further elevate their season, but regardless of the outcome, their performance in Lucknow has already signaled their growing potential on the international stage.
