India has announced a 20-member squad for the Badminton Asia Junior Championships 2025, with rising star Tanvi Sharma set to spearhead the challenge in the women’s singles.
The tournament, one of the most prestigious events for junior shuttlers in Asia, will be held from 18 July onwards, with the mixed team competition followed by individual events. After a subdued outing in 2024, the Indian contingent will aim to make amends in both disciplines.
The Indian Squad: A Mix of Experience and Promise
The Indian team announced by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) features a strong blend of players who have shown promise in the domestic circuit and junior BWF tournaments.
Men’s Singles:
- Ansh Negi
- Hmar Lalthazuala
- Rounak Chouhan
- Pranauv Ram Nagalingam
Women’s Singles:
- Tanvi Sharma
- Rujula Ramu
- Tanvi Reddy Andluri
- Vennala Kalagotla
Men’s Doubles:
- Bhavya Chhabra / Param Chouhary
- Bhargav Ram Arigela / Viswa Tej Gobburu
Women’s Doubles:
- Vennala Kalagotla / Reshika Uthayasooryian
- Gayatri Rawat / Mansa Rawat
Mixed Doubles:
- Vishnu Kedhar Kode / Keerthy Manchala
- C Lalramsanga / Taarini Suri
Tanvi Sharma, fresh off a stunning first-round upset at the 2025 Yonex US Open where she defeated World No. 23 Thuy Linh Nguyen, is expected to be India’s key medal hopeful. Her presence lends a big boost to the morale of the junior squad, many of whom are stepping into continental competition for the first time.
A Look Back: India at the 2024 Edition
The 2024 edition of the tournament, hosted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, saw participation from 18 nationalities. China dominated, sweeping all six gold medals team and individual asserting their supremacy at the junior level.
For India, it was a campaign to forget. None of the Indian players or pairs progressed beyond the Round of 16 in any of the events a harsh reminder of the growing gap between the Indian junior system and the top Asian countries.
That tournament also witnessed a tragic incident that cast a shadow over proceedings. On 30 June 2024, Chinese shuttler Zhang Zhijie collapsed mid-match against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano and was later pronounced dead at the Hardjolukito Air Force Central Hospital at 23:20 local time. The shocking turn of events led to widespread scrutiny of the on-court medical protocols after a video surfaced showing a medic hesitating to enter the court until granted permission by the referee.
This delay, as criticized by Xinhua News Agency and numerous Chinese netizens, triggered calls for rule changes. The Badminton Association of Indonesia announced that it would petition the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to reconsider its existing policies and prioritize athlete safety over formality. The badminton world stood united in grief, and the tragedy remains a stark reminder of the human element in sport.
2025 Outlook: What to Expect
This year’s Indian team heads to the Asian Junior Championships with renewed energy and some real momentum especially in women’s singles and doubles.
Spotlight on Tanvi Sharma
Tanvi Sharma is now a known name in Indian badminton circles. The 16-year-old from Punjab has impressed at senior BWF events, and her presence as the team’s spearhead is invaluable. If she can replicate her recent US Open form, India could realistically aim for a semifinal or better in the women’s singles.
Fresh Doubles Combinations
While there are no established junior world-beating doubles pairs in this year’s Indian line-up, the combinations have had solid results at the All-India ranking circuits. Bhargav-Viswa and Bhavya-Param in men’s doubles, along with Vennala-Reshika in women’s doubles, offer decent depth. The team’s success will depend on how well these pairs execute strategy under pressure against well-drilled East Asian opponents.
Lessons Learned and Rebooted System
Following the underwhelming 2024 campaign, BAI has undertaken efforts to revamp the junior selection and exposure calendar. Several of these names have been part of international exposure trips in the past six months, including to Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE. The real test will be whether the exposure translates into match temperament against top opponents.
Format and Timeline
The Mixed Team event will open proceedings from 18–22 July, featuring group stages followed by knockouts. The individual events across five disciplines will follow from 23–27 July. Based on historical data, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Korea will again start as the heavy favorites. But India will be looking to play disruptor this time around.
The Asian Junior Championships has often served as the launchpad for India’s greatest badminton stars from Saina Nehwal to Lakshya Sen. A good run at this tournament often earns players a spot in senior exposure trips, national camps, and even the BWF World Junior Championships.
For a young team with plenty to prove, this is more than just a tournament it’s a proving ground. Led by Tanvi Sharma and ably supported by players like Ansh Negi and Vennala Kalagotla, India’s juniors have the raw material. The next step is turning that promise into performance.
As the countdown begins, Indian fans will hope the class of 2025 brings back medals and with them, hope for the future.
Stay tuned with IndiaSportsHub for daily updates, match results, and exclusive insights from the Asian Junior Badminton Championships 2025.
