Why is PV Sindhu not playing in the Badminton Asia Team Championships?

PV Sindhu is not playing in the Badminton Asia Team Championships due to a niggle.

Who are the key young players leading the Indian women's team?

The Indian women's team is being led by young players like Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda.

What is the strength of the Indian men's team at the championships?

The Indian men's team is strong, featuring a seasoned core including Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy, who are all world championship medallists.

Home / Sports / India's Badminton Queens Face Uphill Battle Without Sindhu

India's Badminton Queens Face Uphill Battle Without Sindhu

2 Feb

•

Summary

India's women's team seeks title defence without star PV Sindhu.
Youngsters Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda step up for the women's team.
The men's team features a strong core including Lakshya Sen and Srikanth.

India's Badminton Queens Face Uphill Battle Without Sindhu

India's women's team faces a formidable task defending their Badminton Asia Team Championships title in Qingdao, China, starting Tuesday. The absence of their talisman, PV Sindhu, due to a niggle, significantly impacts their prospects after their historic maiden gold win in the previous edition.

With PV Sindhu sidelined, the responsibility falls on a young contingent led by 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma, a silver medallist at the World Junior Championships. Eighteen-year-old Unnati Hooda, who reached a career-best ranking of World No. 23, also brings strong form, having notably defeated Sindhu previously.

The men's team, a bronze medallist in 2016 and 2020, appears more robust. They retain the core group that secured the historic Thomas Cup gold in 2022. World No. 13 Lakshya Sen will spearhead the team, supported by former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, all seasoned world championship medallists.