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PV Sindhu Targets Comeback at Indonesia Masters After India Open Exit

PV Sindhu is determined to make a strong comeback at the Indonesia Masters 2026 following a first-round defeat at the India Open against Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh. The loss gave Nguyen a 3-2 head-to-head advantage over the Indian star. Sindhu will be joined in the women's singles draw by Malvika Bansod, Tanvi Sharma, and Unnati Hooda. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen will look to maintain momentum after reaching the India Open quarterfinals.

Key Points: PV Sindhu Eyes Indonesia Masters 2026 Comeback

  • Sindhu seeks form after India Open exit
  • Faces Nguyen Thuy Linh head-to-head deficit
  • Leads Indian women's singles squad
  • Lakshya Sen aims to build on quarters run
  • Full India squad announced for tournament
2 min read

PV Sindhu eyes strong return at Indonesia Masters 2026

PV Sindhu aims for a strong return at Indonesia Masters 2026 after a first-round India Open loss to Nguyen Thuy Linh. Full India squad details inside.

"I hope I do well in Indonesia. - PV Sindhu"

New Delhi, January 19

PV Sindhu will aim for a strong comeback as she spearheads India's campaign at the Indonesia Masters 2026 badminton tournament, beginning on Tuesday. The Indian star will be eager to regain form after suffering a first-round exit at last week's India Open on the BWF Tour against Vietnam's Nguyen Thuy Linh, as per Olympics.com.

After the highs of a semifinal finish at the Malaysia Open earlier, Sindhu's 2026 season, which saw her return after an injury, faced a humbling low of a first-round exit in the India Open against Nguyen, giving her Vietnamese opponent a 3-2 head-to-head advantage. This marked her third triumph over the Indian badminton icon. Sindhu went down to Nguyen 20-22, 21-12, 21-15.

After her loss, Sindu credited the opponent and expressed hope about doing well at the Indonesia Masters 2026 tournament.

"It was not my day. There were good rallies. At top-level tournaments, everyone does play well. After winning the first set, I lost the second game. In the third game, it was 11-10, and from there she took a 2-3-point lead. It is time to go back and prepare for the next tournament.I hope I do well in Indonesia," Sindhu told reporters after her loss to the Vietnamese shuttler.

At the Indonesia Masters 2026, the veteran Indian shuttler Sindhu will be accompanied by Malvika Bansod, Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda in the women's singles main draw.

On the other hand, another star India shuttler, Lakshya Sen, ranked world No. 14, will aim to build on the momentum gained from his quarterfinal finish at the India Open.

Sen suffered a defeat against Taiwan's Lin Chun-Yi in the men's quarterfinal in the Indian Open event. Sen won the opening game against Lin but then struggled, going down 17-21, 21-13, 21-18 in the quarters.

Indonesia Masters 2026 badminton: India squad

Men's singles: Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Ayush Shetty, Tharun Mannepalli, Kiran George (Q)

Men's doubles: Hariharan Amsakarunan-Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy-Sai Pratheek K (Q)

Women's singles: PV Sindhu, Malvika Bansod, Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Anmol Kharb (Q), Tasnim Mir (Q), Isharani Baruah (Q)

Women's doubles: Rashmi Ganesh-Sania Sikkandar (Q)

Mixed doubles: Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto, Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Gadde.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's a bit worrying that she's lost to Nguyen Thuy Linh three times now. The head-to-head record is becoming a mental block. Hope her coaching team is working on specific strategies for such opponents.
P
Priya S
So happy to see the next generation like Unnati Hooda and Anmol Kharb getting these opportunities! The future looks bright. All the best to the young guns.
V
Vikram M
The men's squad looks strong too. Lakshya Sen is so close to breaking into the top 10. Hope he and Prannoy can bring home some medals. Let's go Team India!
R
Rohit P
Sindhu has given us so many proud moments. One bad tournament doesn't define her career. She's a fighter and will bounce back stronger. Ace it in Indonesia!
K
Kiran H
Good to see a mix of veterans and qualifiers. The depth is increasing. But we need more consistent performances in doubles. The mixed doubles pair of Kapila-Crasto is promising.

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