Sindhu, Lakshya lead India for Asia Team Championships

India will field a powerful and well-balanced squad led by PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen for the Badminton Asia Team Championships scheduled in Qingdao, China, from February 3–8. With the women’s team entering the event as defending champions, and the men aiming to better their past two bronze-medal finishes, the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has chosen a lineup that blends proven talent with rising stars.

BAI announced that the squads were picked based on ranking, recent performances, and international experience. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion, will once again anchor the women’s team. Her leadership will be supported by a group of promising youngsters, including Tanvi Sharma, the world junior championships silver medallist, alongside Unnati Hooda, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, and Malvika Bansod.

In doubles, India will rely on the seasoned pair Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, winners of the Syed Modi International. The squad also features Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto, who add depth to the women’s doubles contingent.

For the men, world No. 13 Lakshya Sen enters as the top singles player. The squad also includes experienced names like Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, along with US Open champion Ayush Shetty and Tharun Mannepalli, offering India both stability and fresh energy.

The men’s doubles challenge will be spearheaded by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, one of the world’s premier pairs. Joining them are Guwahati Masters runners-up Sai Pratheek K and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, as well as Hariharan Amsakarunan, forming a solid unit in the doubles department.

BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra expressed confidence in the squad, saying that India’s teams have consistently remained medal contenders at the Asian and world level, and the current lineup has “the right mix of form and experience” to fight for top honours in both men’s and women’s categories.

Men’s Team:

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

Women’s Team:

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