Satwik-Chirag Pull Out of Asian Championships, Lakshya Carries India’s Hopes

India’s campaign at the Badminton Asia Championships has suffered an early setback.

With the withdrawal of the star men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty due to Satwik’s lingering shoulder injury. The defending champions from 2023 have been battling fitness concerns in recent weeks, having already pulled out of the Swiss Open. Their absence leaves a major gap in India’s medal prospects, especially in doubles, where they have been among the country’s most consistent performers.

Spotlight shifts to singles stars

With the doubles spearhead missing, the focus now turns to India’s singles contingent, led by Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu.

For Lakshya, this tournament represents more than just a title push. It offers a chance to script history—India has not produced a men’s singles champion at the Asian meet since Dinesh Khanna won gold in 1965. Coming off a strong runner-up finish at the prestigious All England Championships, the 24-year-old will look to convert form into a landmark title. He opens his campaign against Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu.

Sindhu, meanwhile, returns after a disrupted European swing. The two-time Olympic medallist was forced to miss the All England event due to travel disruptions via Dubai amid regional tensions and subsequently skipped the Swiss Open to regain fitness. She begins her campaign against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching.

Prannoy back, tough draws ahead

India will also welcome back HS Prannoy, who returns from injury and faces a qualifier in his opener. Kidambi Srikanth is drawn against Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, while Ayush Shetty faces a stern test against China’s Li Shi Feng.

In women’s singles, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, and Malvika Bansod will look to make an impact against strong international opponents.

Doubles challenge without mainstays

Despite the absence of Satwik and Chirag, India will field multiple pairs across categories. In men’s doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun face top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, while other Indian pairs also face challenging opening-round matchups.

The women’s doubles lineup features the experienced duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, along with other combinations aiming to step up. Mixed doubles pairs, including Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, will also be in action against strong Asian opposition.

A defining moment

With the country’s top doubles pair sidelined, India’s fortunes now rest heavily on its singles players. For Lakshya Sen, in particular, this tournament could be defining—a chance not just to win, but to end a decades-long wait and establish himself as India’s next big force on the continental stage.