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India's Badminton Powerhouse: Sindhu, Lakshya Lead Strong Asian Championships Charge

India is sending formidable teams to the 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships in China. The women's team, led by PV Sindhu, will look to defend the title they won last time. The men's squad, featuring stars like Lakshya Sen and the Satwik-Chirag pair, is built around the group that famously won the Thomas Cup. With a blend of Olympic medallists and exciting young talent, India is a serious podium contender in both categories.

Key Points: PV Sindhu Lakshya Sen Lead India's Badminton Asia Team Championships Squad

  • India aims to defend its women's team title and win gold in the men's event in Qingdao
  • The men's team core features the 2022 Thomas Cup-winning squad, including Satwik-Chirag
  • The women's squad blends PV Sindhu's experience with young talents like Tanvi Sharma
  • Teams were selected based on a combination of ranking, recent performance, and big-match experience
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Sindhu, Lakshya headline strong Indian team for Badminton Asia Team Championships

India announces strong squads for 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships, led by PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, aiming to defend women's title and challenge for men's gold.

"This squad has the right mix of form and experience and is capable of challenging for the crown in both categories. - Sanjay Mishra, BAI General Secretary"

New Delhi, Dec 11

Focused on finishing on the podium in both men and women events, India will be fielding a strong team boasting of a former world champion and multiple world championship medallists in the forthcoming Badminton Asia Team Championships to be played in Qingdao, China, from February 3-8, 2026.

India are the defending champion in the women's category, while the men's team has collected two bronzes in the past.

Selected on the basis of ranking, performance, and experience, the women's team will once again be led by former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, PV Sindhu, while the core of the men's team is made up of the squad that clinched the 2022 Thomas Cup crown, headlined by Lakshya Sen and the Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty pairing.

"Over the last few years, Indian teams have consistently been medal contenders at the Asian and World level, and this squad has the right mix of form and experience and is capable of challenging for the crown in both categories. I take this opportunity to wish them all the best for the championships," said Badminton Association of India General Secretary, Sanjay Mishra.

World No. 13 Sen will be the top-ranked men's singles player in the squad that also boasts of former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, the experienced HS Prannoy, rising star and US Open champion Ayush Shetty, and Tharun Mannepalli. World championships bronze medallists Satwik-Chirag will be leading the doubles unit along with Guwahati Masters runners-up Sai Pratheek K. and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, as well as Hariharan Amsakarunan.

In the women's team, Sindhu will be supported by world junior championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj, and Malvika Bansod in singles and Syed Modi International champions Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly in doubles. Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto complete the squad.

BATC 2026 India Teams:

Men: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, Prannoy HS, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, Sai Pratheek K, Hariharan Amsakarunan

Women: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Malvika Bansod, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Tanisha Crasto.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
So happy to see Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma getting this big opportunity alongside Sindhu didi. The future of women's badminton in India is bright! Excited for the young guns to shine in China.
K
Karthik V
Strong squad on paper. But I hope the selectors and coaches have a clear strategy. Sometimes we rely too much on individual brilliance in team events. Need a solid game plan against China, Japan, and Indonesia.
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US. Satwik and Chirag are just phenomenal to watch. Their energy is contagious! If they are in form, the men's team can beat anyone. Rooting for Team India!
P
Priya S
Good mix of youth and experience. Srikanth and Prannoy's presence will be crucial for the men. For the women, defending the title will be a huge challenge, but Sindhu knows how to lead. Chak De India!
M
Michael C
The depth in Indian badminton right now is impressive. A few years ago, we wouldn't have two full teams this strong. Great to see the system producing consistent talent. Best of luck in Qingdao!

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