Indian badminton has witnessed remarkable highs in the past decade—Olympic medals, World Championship podiums, and a steady stream of titles across global stages. The Indian Men Singles is now searching for answers for some time.
In 2025, the men’s singles category finds itself confronting an uncomfortable truth: the gap between India’s current status and its aspirations has widened.
Once home to a World No. 1 in Kidambi Srikanth and a World Championship silver medallist in Lakshya Sen, India’s male shuttlers are now struggling to keep pace with the rest of the world. This article investigates the roots of this crisis, ongoing efforts to course-correct, and whether the next generation is ready to carry the torch.
A Declining Presence on the Global Stage
As of the BWF World Rankings dated 27 May 2025, Lakshya Sen is India’s top-ranked men’s singles player at World No. 17 with 56,422 points. He is followed by H.S. Prannoy (World No. 34), Priyanshu Rajawat (35), Ayush Shetty (36), Kiran George (37), Sathish Kumar Karunakaran (48), and Kidambi Srikanth (49).
The next batch includes Tharun Mannepalli (54), Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian (59), and Rithvik Sanjeev Satish Kumar (64). The ranking distribution itself is symptomatic of a deeper malaise. No Indian player is currently in the top 15, and only one is in the top 20.
The situation marks a stark contrast to 2023, when India was regularly contesting finals and lifting titles on the BWF World Tour. In 2024, Indian men’s singles players failed to win even one title across 29 BWF World Tour events. That drought continued into the early part of 2025.
Inconsistency and Mental Blocks
Even the established names have struggled. Kidambi Srikanth, once the face of Indian men’s badminton, continues to exhibit flashes of his trademark style—fast-paced attack, creative angles, and sharp anticipation. But consistency has deserted him. Despite a 16-place jump in the rankings this month, Srikanth’s performances remain erratic. His loss of matches from winning positions has become an unfortunate hallmark of the latter half of his career.
H.S. Prannoy, another senior statesman of Indian badminton, has also been hampered by fitness issues and a fluctuating game. Lakshya Sen, despite his immense potential and previous medal-winning performances at the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, has yet to break the barrier of sustained excellence over a season. The transition from being a promising contender to a consistent threat has proved elusive.
Why Is Indian Men’s Singles Faltering?
1. Lack of Depth in the Talent Pool:
India’s success over the past decade was built on a golden generation—Srikanth, Prannoy, Sameer Verma, and later Lakshya Sen. But the next wave has not matured fast enough. Beyond the top 5 or 6 players, the performance drop is steep, making it hard to field a strong squad for team events or to replace underperforming stars.
2. Loss of the Traditional Indian Style:
Historically, Indian badminton produced players with a unique combination of deception, tactical discipline, and net-play mastery. The emphasis on skill over brute physicality once gave Indian players an edge. According to BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra, that identity is “somewhat fading.” Players now follow more physical, high-tempo approaches influenced by foreign coaching methods. While this suits modern demands, it has often come at the expense of subtlety and finesse.
3. Unstructured Junior Development:
Until recently, India relied heavily on short, scattered 15-day camps prior to major tournaments. This stop-gap approach was a poor substitute for year-round coaching and tactical planning. In contrast, countries like China, Japan, and Indonesia invest in long-term player development with detailed performance tracking, injury management, and progressive competition exposure.
4. Fragile Mental Strength:
Mental fragility has been another recurring concern. Players like Srikanth and Prannoy have frequently lost matches from commanding positions. The inability to close out tight games or bounce back mid-match has hurt Indian chances repeatedly. Badminton today is as much about temperament as it is about technique.
BAI’s Strategic Response: A Structural Overhaul
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has begun laying the foundation for long-term success. Recognizing the need for coaching evolution, the federation shortlisted 10-11 former players from a pool of 49 applicants to lead revamped coaching assignments. The goal is clear: combine modern training with India’s traditional strengths.
The creation of National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati is a step toward sustained development. Each center now features an international coach—Tan Kim Her (Malaysia) in Hyderabad, Irwansyah Adi Pratama (Indonesia) in Bengaluru, and Park Tae-Sang (South Korea). These appointments bring global best practices into Indian training ecosystems.
The new system replaces ad-hoc camps with continuous training environments. Juniors now undergo structured programs with clear progression paths, performance monitoring, and competition planning. The focus has shifted from reacting to failures to proactively preparing for success.
Is There Hope? Emerging Players Show Promise
Despite the doom and gloom, a few emerging stars hint at a brighter future.
Priyanshu Rajawat (World No. 35):
At just 22, Rajawat remains one of India’s best hopes. Known for his blistering stick smashes and deceptive flair, he combines Srikanth-like aggression with modern athleticism. His early-season wins and competitive showings against top-20 players indicate potential. But for him to become elite, he must add physical endurance and consistency to his natural stroke-making.
Ayush Shetty (World No. 36):
A rapid riser in 2025, Shetty is just 20 years old and has already impressed with his maturity. His court movement and tactical reading have won praise, and he has shown no fear against seasoned opponents. If groomed well, he could be a top-20 regular in the next two years.
Kiran George (World No. 37):
Kiran, now 25, has beaten the likes of World No. 1 Shi Yuqi in the past. His game is built on solid defense and smart shot selection, but inconsistency remains an obstacle. His recent quarterfinal finish at the India Open Super 750 was encouraging, but he needs to string together multiple deep runs to move up the rankings.
Sankars, Sathish Kumars, and Tharuns of the World:
Players like Sankar Muthusamy, Sathish Karunakaran, and Tharun Mannepalli are in the developmental pipeline. While not yet World Tour regulars, their progress in challenger circuits and domestic events will be key to India’s bench strength.
The Way Forward: Building for 2028 and Beyond
For India to reclaim its place in world badminton, short-term fixes won’t suffice. It requires systemic, sustained nurturing of players from U15 to senior level. Sports science support, mental conditioning, and injury prevention must become integral parts of training, not afterthoughts.
Additionally, re-establishing India’s badminton identity is crucial. Players need to rediscover the deceptive strokes, net control, and tactical awareness that once made India feared. Coaching systems must value creativity alongside physical training.
Finally, the spotlight must expand beyond the top 3. Unless India can field a squad of 8-10 highly competitive players, team events like the Thomas Cup or Sudirman Cup will continue to expose its thin bench.
Indian men’s singles badminton stands at a crossroads. The golden generation is fading, and the next wave is still finding its rhythm. Rankings reflect a sobering reality—India’s top players are no longer regular threats at the back end of major tournaments.
Yet, the crisis has sparked a much-needed introspection. With structural changes in place, foreign coaching integrated into national centers, and a few talented juniors showing promise, the building blocks of a revival are visible. It won’t be quick, and it won’t be easy. But if India sustains its focus, backs its young players, and builds a deeper pool, the day isn’t far when the tricolour flutters again on podiums across the badminton world.
