Two-time Asian Games medalist PV Sindhu and 2022 Asiad men's doubles gold medalists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will headline a stacked Indian squad for the badminton championships at the 20th Asian Games, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026, according to a press release from the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
Selection Process and Squad Composition
The BAI selection committee finalized the squad after reviewing recent performances across national and international tournaments, alongside BWF rankings as of May 26. The Asian Games remain one of the most prestigious multi-sport competitions in the world, bringing together the continent's finest athletes in pursuit of national glory.
Led by India's top-ranked men's singles player Lakshya Sen, the squad also features experienced players H. S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth, all part of India's historic men's team silver-medal campaign at the previous edition. The men's contingent retains much of the core that secured a bronze medal at the BWF Thomas Cup earlier this year.
Emerging Talent Included
Reflecting the emergence of a new generation, Badminton Asia Championships silver medalist Ayush Shetty, alongside BWF World Junior Championships Individual Championship Silver medalist Tanvi Sharma and Team Championship medalist Unnati Hooda, have also earned selection following a string of impressive performances on the international circuit.
BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra expressed confidence in the squad's depth and quality. He highlighted the return to form of Satwik-Chirag, Lakshya Sen's rise back into the world's top 10, the men's team's Thomas Cup success, and consistent results from PV Sindhu and other senior players.
“Indian badminton today is in a position where success is being shaped not just by individual excellence, but by the growing depth of talent across categories. Over the last few months, we have seen encouraging signs across the board, Satwik-Chirag back to their best, Lakshya returning to the world's top 10, the men's team reaching another Thomas Cup podium, Sindhu and our senior players delivering consistently, and younger athletes stepping up with strong performances and important results internationally. This squad reflects that journey, a blend of experience, depth and emerging talent, and we believe it has the quality and character to compete strongly at the Asian Games and make the country proud,” said Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary, BAI.
India's Momentum in Asian Games Badminton
India heads into Aichi-Nagoya carrying strong momentum. Indian badminton has won 13 medals in Asian Games history, including a breakthrough gold medal at the previous edition. The 2022 Games marked India's most successful badminton campaign, yielding one gold, one silver, and an individual bronze through Prannoy. India's highest medal tally overall came at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, where the country secured five bronze medals.
Full Squad Details
Team Championship
Men's Team: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, H. S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, M. R. Arjun, Dhruv Kapila
Women's Team: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Devika Sihag, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam, Simran Singhi, Tanisha Crasto
Individual Championships
- Men's Singles (MS): Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty
- Women's Singles (WS): PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda
- Men's Doubles (MD): Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty; Hariharan Amsakarunan / M. R. Arjun
- Women's Doubles (WD): Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela; Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi
- Mixed Doubles (XD): Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto
The Indian squad also features established combinations across categories. Men's doubles pair Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun arrive in strong form, with Arjun also carrying experience from India's silver-winning men's team campaign in 2022. Women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand continue to anchor India's doubles challenge, alongside the steadily rising Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam. Thailand Masters Super 300 champion Devika Sihag and talents Isharani Baruah and Tharun Mannepalli further strengthen India's singles depth. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto add quality and experience to the doubles setup.
