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As the BWF World Championships 2025 kick off in Paris from August 25 to 31, India’s top shuttlers are gearing up for one of their most challenging campaigns in recent memory. With a medal streak dating back to 2011 on the line, the pressure is immense. Injuries, inconsistent form, and tough draws have cast uncertainty over India’s chances, but the nation’s badminton elite are determined to defy the odds and extend their legacy on the global stage.
Key Highlights From The Draw
- India has won at least one medal at every BWF World Championships since 2011, totaling 14 medals across disciplines
- PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and the men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lead India’s charge
- The tournament will be held at the adidas Arena, the same venue that hosted Olympic badminton matches last year
- A semifinal finish guarantees a medal, but early matchups against top seeds make the road to the podium steep
Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen And HS Prannoy
- Lakshya Sen faces world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi of China in the opening round, a high-voltage clash that could set the tone for India’s campaign
- Sen has a 3–1 head-to-head disadvantage against Shi, with their last meeting ending in a narrow loss at the Indonesia Open
- If Sen pulls off an upset, he may face French favorites Christo Popov and Alex Lanier in subsequent rounds
- HS Prannoy begins against Finland’s Joakim Oldorff, a winnable match, but could face second seed Anders Antonsen of Denmark next
- Prannoy, who won bronze in 2023, is battling back from a chikungunya setback and has a 5–14 win-loss record this season
Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu’s Redemption Bid
- PV Sindhu, India’s most decorated shuttler with five World Championship medals, opens against Bulgaria’s Kaloyana Nalbantova
- Her draw includes potential matchups with Malaysia’s Letshanaa Karupathevan and second seed Wang Zhi Yi of China
- Sindhu’s 2025 season has been underwhelming, with a 6–12 record and a quarterfinal finish at the India Open as her best result
- A strong run in Paris could revive her form and add a sixth World Championship medal to her illustrious career
Men’s Doubles: Satwik And Chirag Eye Redemption
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, seeded ninth, received a first-round bye and will face either compatriots Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruben Kumar or Chinese Taipei’s Liu Kuang Heng and Yang Po Han
- A potential Round of 16 clash with China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang looms, followed by a possible quarterfinal against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik
- The Malaysian pair knocked them out of the 2024 Olympics, adding emotional weight to a potential rematch
- Despite a 19–19 record this season, Satwik and Chirag remain India’s best bet in doubles
Women’s And Mixed Doubles: Emerging Talent In Focus
- Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will face France’s Lambert and Pognante in the opening round, with a tough second-round draw against fourth seeds Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee
- The Panda sisters, Rutaparna and Swetaparna, will take on Bulgaria’s Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva
- In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto received a first-round bye, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Shivani Gadde will face Macau’s Leong Lok Chong and Weng Chi Ng
Conclusion
India’s campaign at the BWF World Championships 2025 is fraught with challenges, but the spirit of its shuttlers remains undeterred. With a proud medal streak at stake and a demanding draw ahead, the tournament promises drama, grit, and possibly, redemption. Whether veterans rise again or newcomers break through, Paris will be the crucible where India’s badminton legacy is tested.
Sources: ESPN India, Business Standard, Firstpost, Cricketnmore.
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