Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 13: Two-time Asian Games medallist P. V. Sindhu and reigning Asian Games men’s doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will spearhead India’s badminton campaign at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced a strong and balanced squad after evaluating performances in domestic and international tournaments, along with the latest BWF rankings as of May 26, 2026.
Leading the men’s singles challenge will be India’s highest-ranked player, Lakshya Sen, who will be joined by experienced campaigners H. S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth. Both veterans played crucial roles in India’s historic silver-medal finish at the previous Asian Games.
The squad also reflects the emergence of a promising new generation. Rising star Ayush Shetty, who recently secured a silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships, has earned selection alongside junior sensation Tanvi Sharma and talented youngster Unnati Hooda following a string of impressive international performances.
BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra said the selected squad reflects the growing depth of Indian badminton, combining proven performers with emerging talent across categories.
India heads into the Games carrying considerable momentum. The country has won 13 badminton medals in Asian Games history, with its most successful campaign coming at the 2022 edition, where it secured a gold, a silver and a bronze medal. Prannoy also claimed an individual bronze medal during that landmark campaign.
The doubles contingent remains one of India’s strongest assets. Apart from the star pairing of Satwiksairaj and Chirag, the men's doubles squad includes Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun, both of whom have delivered consistent performances on the international circuit.
In women’s doubles, India will rely on the experienced duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, supported by the emerging partnership of Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi.
The mixed doubles challenge will be led by Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, one of India's most accomplished pairings in the discipline.
In the individual events, Lakshya Sen and Ayush Shetty will represent India in men's singles, while PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda will compete in women's singles. Satwik-Chirag and Hariharan-Arjun will feature in men's doubles, with Treesa-Gayatri and Kavipriya-Simran contesting the women's doubles category. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will carry India's hopes in mixed doubles.
With a blend of established stars, proven medal winners and exciting young talent, India will aim to build on its recent successes and mount a strong challenge for multiple medals at the Asian Games in Japan.