Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Simran Singhi, and Kavipriya Selvam are set to make their BWF World Championships debut as India hosts the prestigious badminton event after 17 years, offering a significant platform for these rising stars.
India's PV Sindhu remains the only Indian player to have won the prestigious BWF World Tour Finals in 2018.
It was the fourth defeat for the Indian pair against the Paris Olympics bronze medallists Japanese rivals in five meetings.
Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha has won her first BWF World Tour title, defeating China's Han Qian Xi in the women's singles final of the Korea Masters Super 300 tournament.
Ayush Shetty notched up his first BWF World Tour title with a commanding straight-games victory over Canada's Brian Yang in the men's singles final of the US Open Super 300.
"She will need to be at her best for next year which will have Asian Games and also the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification, playing about 22 tournaments will be tough, so she is taking extra care,"
Sen rallied from a game deficit to defeat Yusuke Onodera of Japan
Young Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty is actively working to transform his 'natural laid-back approach' into a more aggressive playing style as he prepares for his World Championship debut, where he faces current world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China in his opening match.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured their maiden China Masters title, defeating China's He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu in the final. The world No. 5 pair attributed their success to improved physical condition and a consistent "Plan A" strategy, boosting their confidence for the upcoming Asian Games.
Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu's quest for a BWF title continues after she was defeated by top seed Akane Yamaguchi in the semifinals of the Australian Badminton Open. The Indian shuttler lost in straight games, marking her second semifinal exit this season and ending India's campaign in the tournament.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced its World Tour Calendar for 2027 and 2028, featuring a 35-tournament global circuit. The India Open Super 750 will see its dates shifted to February 2027 and January 2028, while the Syed Modi India International has been downgraded to a Super 100 event. The new calendar also introduces a 3x15 scoring system and extended competition windows to enhance player welfare and global reach.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced its World Tour Calendar for 2027 and 2028, featuring a 35-tournament global circuit. The India Open Super 750 will see its dates shifted to February 2027 and January 2028, while the Syed Modi India International has been downgraded to a Super 100 event. The new calendar also introduces a 3x15 scoring system and extended competition windows to enhance player welfare and global reach.
Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha has advanced to her maiden BWF World Tour singles final at the Korea Masters Super 300, defeating compatriot Rakshitha Ramraj. Chaliha, returning from injury, will now face China's Han Qianxi for the title, marking a significant achievement for Indian badminton.
Indian badminton prodigy Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by winning the women's singles at the Taipei Open Super 300. She defeated Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in straight games, showcasing her potential as a rising star in the sport.
Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha defeated compatriot Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj to reach her first-ever BWF World Tour final at the Korea Masters Super 300. Chaliha, returning from a knee injury, continued her impressive run, having previously upset the top seed.
Indian badminton stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, fresh off their China Masters victory, reveal their "no Plan B" philosophy, focusing on strengths and tactical adjustments. They attribute their success to improved physical condition post-World Championships and meticulous reviews, which helped them secure their 10th BWF World Tour title and boost confidence for the upcoming Asian Games.
As New Delhi prepares to host the BWF World Championships from August 17-23, 2026, five young talents - Ayush Shetty, Unnati Hooda, Alwi Farhan, Tomoka Miyazaki, and Kalyana Nalbantova - are identified as potential breakout stars capable of challenging the sport's biggest names and redefining their careers.
Rising Indian badminton star Tanvi Sharma, fresh from her Taipei Open win, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Korea Masters Super 300 tournament. She is joined by compatriots Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj and Ashmita Chaliha in the women's singles. In men's doubles, Krishna Prasad Garaga and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy also secured a quarterfinal spot, while other Indian campaigns in mixed doubles, women's doubles, and men's singles concluded.
Japanese badminton prodigy Tomoka Miyazaki, despite an early exit from the World Championships, is leveraging the experience to refine her game and challenge the sport's top players. Mentored by Akane Yamaguchi, the 20-year-old aims for consistent quarter-final appearances to test her skills against the world's best, while also appreciating her growing global fan base.
Organisers of the upcoming BWF World Championships have undertaken extensive upgrades at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi, including anti-bird measures, non-toxic gels, and even 'monkey whisperers', to prevent a repeat of the hygiene and disruption issues experienced during the India Open earlier this year.
Prannoy will next face world number one and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen on Friday.
Indian badminton prodigy Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen in straight games at the Taipei Open Super 300, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty maintained their unbeaten run to storm into the knock-out stage of the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals, beating arch-rivals Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik of Malaysia in their final Group B match, in Hangzhou, on Friday.
Just like in her campaign opener against Japan's Akane Yamaguchi on Wednesday, Sindhu squandered a game advantage to lose yet again in the year-ending BWF World Tour Final
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was defeated by world No. 1 An Se Young at the Indonesia Open, marking her tenth consecutive loss to the Korean. Meanwhile, the Indian men's doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun caused a significant upset, advancing to their first-ever BWF World Tour Super 1000 quarterfinals.
'All the matches are going to be tough but I have to shrug it off and get ready for tomorrow's match.'
Indian badminton sensation Tanvi Sharma, 17, secured her first BWF World Tour title by defeating Vietnam's Thuy Linh Nguyen at the Taipei Open Super 300. Coached by Park Tae-sang, she became the first Indian woman to win the singles title there since Saina Nehwal in 2008, showcasing her rising talent and potential.
The India Open retained its Super 750 status despite the organisational issues this year but the Syed Modi International was downgraded from Super 300 to Super 100 as the country saw its share of events reduced from four to two in the Badminton World Federation's revamped schedule announced on Monday.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu to win the China Masters Super 750, gaining a major boost ahead of the Asian Games gold defence.
Indian shuttlers P V Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth crashed out in the group stages after losing their respective second round matches in the BWF World Tour Finals, in Bangkok, on Thursday.
Indian shuttler Rounak Chouhan successfully navigated the qualifying rounds of the Taipei Open Super 300, securing his spot in the men's singles main draw with two impressive victories. However, it was a challenging day for most other Indian participants across various categories, who faced defeats in their respective qualifying and opening matches. HS Prannoy and Unnati Hooda are set to lead the Indian contingent in the main draw.
Indian shuttlers Anmol Kharb and Ashmita Chaliha have successfully advanced to the women's singles quarterfinals at the Macau Open Super 300 badminton tournament. While Ashmita secured a straight-sets victory, Anmol progressed after her opponent retired. However, India's challenge in men's singles, women's singles (other players), and mixed doubles sections concluded in the earlier rounds.
The Indians won the first game but failed to capitalise on the advantage, going down 21-10, 17-21 13-21 in the last-four contest that lasted one hour and three minutes.
Indian badminton players Devika Sihag, Rounak Chouhan, and Kidambi Srikanth have advanced to the semifinals of the US Open badminton tournament in Fullerton, USA. Sihag caused an upset by defeating third seed Riko Gunji, while Chouhan continued his strong performance. Srikanth's win sets up the possibility of an all-Indian final.
Young Indian shuttler Rounak Chouhan continued his impressive run at the US Open badminton tournament, defeating Misha Zilberman to reach his first BWF World Tour Super 300 semifinal. Devika Sihag also advanced by upsetting third seed Riko Gunji, and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth secured his spot in the semifinals, raising hopes for an all-India final.
Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen continued to be the best-placed Indian at number seven while former world no. 1 Kidambi Srikanth gained a rung to the 11th position.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu secured her spot in the women's singles semi-finals of the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament after a dominant victory over Chen Su Yu. She will now face top seed Akane Yamaguchi.
Indian badminton players experienced mixed results at the China Masters, with Kidambi Srikanth and Tanvi Sharma securing straight-game victories to advance to the second round. However, Lakshya Sen, a former world championships medallist, suffered an early exit after a disappointing performance against Canada's Victor Lai. Several Indian doubles pairs also saw varied outcomes in their opening matches.
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will need to win against the Japanese pairing of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida on Friday to book their semis spot.
Star Indian shuttlers Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty showed nerves of steel to stun Olympic silver medallists Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in their opening Group B match at the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, on Wednesday.