India’s dismal run on the BWF World Tour continued as all Indian shuttlers exited the Thailand Open 2025 Super 500 in Bangkok by the end of the Round of 16.
Despite 12 Indian entries making the main draw, only five progressed to the second round, and none managed to break into the quarterfinals.
The country remains without a single final appearance on the BWF World Tour circuit in 2025 — a worrying sign for Indian badminton ahead of a crucial season.
Treesa-Gayatri Knocked Out
India’s top-ranked women’s doubles pair, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, suffered a straight-games defeat to Japan’s Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara, 20-22, 14-21.
The Indian duo, returning to action after an injury-induced hiatus, showed some spark in the opening game, pushing the Japanese pair to the brink. However, unforced errors and passive play in the second game allowed the Japanese to cruise through.
This loss marked the end of India’s challenge in the women’s doubles category and closed the campaign for the last remaining elite Indian pair at the tournament. Treesa and Gayatri, currently ranked World No. 10, were expected to go deep but looked short of match fitness.
Singles Woes Continue
In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod, Unnati Hooda, and Aakarshi Kashyap all bowed out in straight games against higher-ranked Thai opponents.
Malvika Bansod, ranked 23rd in the world and the 2024 Hylo Open runner-up, was outplayed by former world champion Ratchanok Intanon.
The Thai star, seeded seventh and backed by home support, won 21-12, 21-16. Malvika struggled to control the tempo and found herself chasing rallies throughout.
Unnati Hooda, only 17 years old and already a two-time BWF Tour title-winner, faced the top-seeded Pornpawee Chochuwong. Despite her evident promise, the gulf in experience and skill was evident as she lost 14-21, 11-21 in just 39 minutes.
Aakarshi Kashyap, who had impressed in the first round with a three-set win over Japan’s Kaoru Sugiyama, couldn’t replicate her form.
Up against fourth seed Supanida Katethong, she folded 9-21, 14-21. Aakarshi looked competitive in phases but struggled to break Katethong’s rhythm.
Tharun Mannepalli Shows Fight
In men’s singles, Tharun Mannepalli emerged as a surprise package, reaching the second round after defeating Malaysia’s Justin Hoh.
However, his dream run ended against second-seeded Anders Antonsen of Denmark. Tharun lost 14-21, 16-21, managing to test the Dane in the second game but lacking the firepower to push further.
The exit of Tharun followed a disastrous opening round for India’s senior men’s singles players. Lakshya Sen and Priyanshu Rajawat had already crashed out on Day 1, continuing their downward trajectory in 2025.
No Indian in Quarterfinals
With all five Indians who reached Round 2 falling short, this marks the second consecutive Super 500 event where India failed to place a single athlete or pair in the quarterfinals. Even more concerning, India is yet to reach a final in any BWF World Tour event this year.
Quarterfinal Representation — Where India Stands
Here’s how the other nations fared in terms of quarterfinal representation at the Thailand Open 2025 (Super 500):
- Thailand (9) – 1 MS, 5 WS, 1 MD, 2 XD
- Indonesia (6) – 2 MD, 2 WD, 2 XD
- China (5) – 1 MS, 1 WS, 1 WD, 2 XD
- Chinese Taipei (4) – 2 MD, 2 WD
- Japan (4) – 2 MS, 1 WS, 1 WD
- Denmark (3) – 2 MS, 1 MD
- Korea (3) – 1 MS, 1 WD, 1 XD
- Malaysia (3) – 2 MD, 1 WD
- Singapore (2) – 1 MS, 1 WS
- Hong Kong China (1) – 1 XD
India is noticeably absent from this list, highlighting the growing gap in performance between India and the top badminton nations in Asia and Europe.
The struggles of top Indian names such as PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Lakshya Sen, due to injuries or inconsistent form, have left the younger crop to carry the burden.
While prospects like Unnati Hooda and Tharun Mannepalli are making progress, they still require experience and tactical maturity to compete against the world’s best.
With the Paris Olympics now behind and a fresh Olympic cycle underway, the lack of results on the BWF circuit in 2025 raises serious concerns for India’s preparations heading into the next major events, including the Asian Games and the Road to LA 2028.
India’s shuttlers need urgent course correction — whether through sports science support, more focused coaching interventions, or consistent exposure at the highest level. Otherwise, the widening gap from global badminton powerhouses may become difficult to bridge.
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