The Inter-State Badminton Championships in Vijayawada delivered a compelling snapshot of Indian badminton’s present and future, as youth trumped experience in the women’s team event while depth and resilience defined the men’s final.
Haryana, powered by a fearless trio of Unnati Hooda, Devika Sihag and Anmol Kharb, successfully defended their women’s team title, while Tamil Nadu denied them a clean sweep by edging out Haryana 3–2 in a tense men’s team final.
The women’s final was always going to attract attention, largely because of the presence of two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who was representing Andhra Pradesh and returning to the national championships after a gap of seven years. Sindhu’s comeback had already made a statement in the quarterfinals, where she played a decisive role in Andhra Pradesh’s emphatic 3–0 win over Uttarakhand, winning both her singles and doubles matches with authority.
However, the final took an unexpected turn when Andhra Pradesh opted not to field Sindhu against Haryana. The decision proved costly as Haryana’s young shuttlers seized the opportunity with maturity well beyond their years.
The tie began with Devika Sihag taking on Navya Kanderi in what turned out to be the most closely fought match of the final. Navya showed grit and tactical awareness, pushing Devika to the limit in a three-game contest that stretched to nearly an hour. Devika, though, held her nerve in the decisive moments, using her consistency and control from the backcourt to grind out a hard-earned win that gave Haryana early momentum.
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Unnati Hooda then stepped onto court against Surya Tamiri and produced a composed, clinical performance. Unnati dictated the rallies from the outset, mixing pace with placement to keep Surya on the defensive. Winning in straight games, Unnati underlined why she is increasingly seen as one of the most promising names in Indian women’s singles at the junior-to-senior transition stage.
With Haryana leading 2–0, the women’s doubles pairing of Unnati Hooda and Anmol Kharb sealed the tie in style. Facing Navya and Surya, the Haryana pair displayed superior coordination and attacking intent, taking control of the net exchanges and finishing points decisively. The straight-games victory not only secured the match but also confirmed Haryana’s dominance in the women’s team event, as they defended their title without allowing the final to drift into uncertainty.
While the women’s final highlighted the rise of India’s next generation, the men’s team final told a different story—one of experience, patience and the ability to claw back from adversity. Haryana looked set for a rare double when they surged to a 2–0 lead against Tamil Nadu. Manraj Singh set the tone by defeating Sankar Muthusamy in the opening singles, followed by Bharat Raghav’s win over Rithvik S, giving Haryana a commanding early advantage.
Tamil Nadu, however, responded with remarkable composure. The turning point came in the men’s doubles, where international pair Hariharan and Ruban showcased their experience and understanding to secure a crucial win. Their victory not only put Tamil Nadu on the board but also shifted the momentum of the final.
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Sugi Sai Bala Singh then delivered under pressure in the third singles match, beating Gautam Arora in straight games. His disciplined performance, marked by tight net play and smart shot selection, brought the tie level at 2–2 and set up a decisive final doubles match.
The championship ultimately came down to the last rubber, and it did not disappoint. Naveen P and Lokesh P faced Mayank and Aaryan Sapiah in a gruelling encounter that lasted one hour and 10 minutes. Both pairs pushed each other physically and mentally, trading long rallies and momentum swings. In the end, Naveen and Lokesh held their composure in the closing stages, edging past their opponents to seal a dramatic 3–2 win and hand Tamil Nadu the men’s team title.
The championships in Vijayawada offered a telling contrast between the two finals. Haryana’s women triumphed through youthful fearlessness and clarity of roles, while Tamil Nadu’s men prevailed by absorbing pressure and executing under decisive moments.
Together, the results reinforced the depth of Indian badminton across states and age groups, while also underlining a clear message: the next generation is not just arriving it is already winning.
