India has unveiled a strong 14-member team for the upcoming Sudirman Cup mixed team championship, set to take place in Xiamen, China, from April 27 to May 4. Leading the charge in singles will be stars PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen, while the doubles scene will see the return of the accomplished duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
Alongside Sindhu and Sen, HS Prannoy and World No. 45 Anupama Upadhyaya will represent India in singles. In the mixed doubles category, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will also take part.
India secured their spot in the Sudirman Cup, a significant mixed team event held every two years, based on their overall world ranking. However, they face a tough challenge as they have been placed in Group D. This group features former champions Indonesia as well as strong European teams from Denmark and England.
Historically, India has yet to reach the semifinals of the Sudirman Cup. In the last edition in 2023, India finished third in Group C, trailing behind Malaysia and Taipei, which meant they did not make it to the knockout stages.
However, not all news is positive for the team. The reliable women’s doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly will be absent from the tournament due to injuries. Both players are recovering from shoulder issues that arose after a busy tournament schedule. According to reports, they have already participated in five tournaments in 2025, following a strenuous 22 in 2024.
In their stead, the promising young duo of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will take on the women’s doubles responsibilities.
A Boost for India: Satwik and Chirag
Satwik and Chirag will make their comeback after dealing with recent injuries. The former World No. 1 pair last played at the All England Championships, where they faced an early exit due to a back injury sustained by Chirag. This injury cut short their run in the second round.
To support the men’s doubles team, the emerging partnership of Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi has been named as back-up players for Satwik and Chirag.
Expressing optimism about the team’s chances, Sanjay Mishra, secretary of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), highlighted the team’s overall strength and balance across all categories. He pointed out that India now has a well-rounded team that isn’t solely dependent on one or two players, which could make a significant impact during the tournament. Mishra stated, “We are confident that our team will not only perform well in the group stages but also has the potential to make history by winning a medal.”
India’s Squad for the Sudirman Cup:
- Men’s Singles: HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen
- Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu, Anupama Upadhyaya
- Men’s Doubles: Satwik-Rankireddy, Hariharan-Ruban Kumar
- Women’s Doubles: Shruti Mishra-Priya Konjengbam
- Mixed Doubles: Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto, Satish Kumar-Aadya Variyath
This lineup reflects India’s commitment to not just participating, but aiming for recognition in this prestigious championship.
