The draw for the BWF World Championships 2025 has been announced, and for Indian badminton, it’s a mix of daunting early encounters, potential blockbuster clashes, and a significant withdrawal in women’s doubles.
With the event set to showcase the world’s best shuttlers, India’s leading names will need both peak form and mental steel to navigate their paths.
Sindhu’s Historic Chinese Streak Faces Its Hardest Test
In over a decade of competing at the World Championships, P.V. Sindhu has built a unique record she has never lost to a Chinese opponent on this stage. That streak, however, faces a severe challenge in the Round of 16, where she is drawn to meet Wang Zhi Yi (WZY).
Wang, the reigning Asian champion and one of the most consistent performers on tour, is still searching for her first World Championship medal. That hunger, combined with her tactical discipline and relentless retrieval, makes her one of the most dangerous players in the draw.
Sindhu will need to draw on her vast experience, her ability to rise to big occasions, and the attacking precision that has brought her two World Championship gold medals. If she manages to overcome WZY, it would not only preserve her remarkable streak but also be one of the defining moments of her late-career run.
If Sindhu does progress, her projected quarterfinal opponent will be either Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki or Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani both talented but beatable on her day.
Treesa and Gayatri Withdraw A Blow to Women’s Doubles Hopes
In a disappointing development, India’s top women’s doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have withdrawn from the tournament. The duo, ranked inside the world’s top 15, were India’s best hope for a deep run in the women’s doubles draw. Their absence leaves a gap in India’s doubles challenge, especially given their history of upsetting higher-ranked pairs at major events.
Men’s Singles: Lakshya and Prannoy in the Firing Line Early
The men’s singles draw has thrown up immediate hurdles for India’s leading names.
- Lakshya Sen, a former bronze medallist at the World Championships, opens against Shi Yu Qi, the top seed and reigning All England champion. Shi’s deceptive attack, combined with his ability to switch the pace at will, makes him a nightmare first-round opponent. For Lakshya, who thrives in attacking exchanges, patience and precision will be key if he is to force the upset.
- HS Prannoy begins against Joakin in the first round but is drawn to face Anders Antonsen, the No. 2 seed, as early as the Round of 32. Antonsen’s sharp attacking play and improved defensive stability have made him one of the most consistent players on tour this season. For Prannoy, a proven big-match player, fitness and focus will be crucial to spring a surprise.
These early match-ups mean that India could see two of its most experienced men’s singles players exit before the tournament’s midway stage unless they produce something extraordinary.
Men’s Doubles: SatChi Set for Early Blockbuster
World No. 3 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have their eyes on a second World Championship medal, but their route is anything but straightforward.
They are projected to meet China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang the world No. 2 pair in the Round of 16. Matches between these two pairs have been intense, with contrasting styles: SatChi’s raw power and aggressive front-court play versus Liang/Wang’s consistency and mid-court control.
If SatChi get through that clash, a quarterfinal against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik looms a pair who have a strong record at major events, including a World Championship gold.
Mixed Doubles: KapTan Eye R16 Challenge
In mixed doubles, KapTan the pairing of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila will face Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet in the Round of 16, should they progress past their opening matches. Tang/Tse’s deceptive play and varied shot-making will be a test for the young Indian duo, but recent performances suggest they are capable of pushing top pairs deep into matches.
The World Championships is always an unforgiving arena, but this year’s draw seems particularly harsh for India’s singles contenders. Facing the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds so early in men’s singles, and a top-five opponent in women’s singles R16, means that progress into the medal rounds will require exceptional performances.
However, Indian shuttlers have a history of rising to the occasion at this event Sindhu’s multiple medals, Prannoy’s giant-killing runs, Lakshya’s bronze, and SatChi’s recent dominance in doubles all offer hope.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Sindhu vs WZY – Can the Indian icon keep her unbeaten Worlds record against Chinese players alive in what could be her toughest challenge yet?
- Lakshya’s First-Round Test – Can he upset the top seed and reignite his season?
- Prannoy vs Antonsen – A clash of veterans with contrasting styles if they meet in R32.
- SatChi’s Path – Early blockbuster against Liang/Wang followed by a potential Chia/Soh battle.
- KapTan’s Growth – Testing themselves against one of Asia’s most experienced mixed doubles pairs.
The 2025 BWF World Championships draw has placed Indian players in high-pressure situations from the very start. While the paths to medals are steep, such adversity has historically brought out the best in India’s badminton stars. If Sindhu can topple Wang Zhi Yi, if Lakshya and Prannoy can channel their big-match energy, and if SatChi can power through a stacked doubles field, India could still return with podium finishes.
The next week will reveal whether this generation can once again defy the odds on badminton’s biggest stage.
