PV Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag Headline Strong Indian Badminton Squad for Asian Games 2026
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has unveiled a formidable squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with two-time Asian Games medallist PV Sindhu and reigning men’s doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty leading India’s charge for medals.
The squad, finalised after evaluating recent international performances and BWF rankings as of May 26, blends experienced campaigners with an exciting crop of young stars who have emerged over the past year. Headlined by Lakshya Sen in men’s singles and featuring rising names such as Ayush Shetty, Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda, India will head to Japan with ambitions of matching or even surpassing its record-breaking performance at the previous edition.
PV Sindhu remains the biggest name in the women’s squad. The two-time Olympic medallist has already won multiple medals at the Asian Games and will once again spearhead India’s women’s singles campaign. Joining her in singles will be teenage sensation Unnati Hooda, who has impressed consistently on the international circuit and earned selection through her strong performances over the past season.
On the men’s side, Lakshya Sen will lead India’s singles challenge after returning to the world’s top ranks with a series of impressive displays. He is joined by Ayush Shetty, whose silver medal at the Badminton Asia Championships highlighted his rapid rise among Asia’s brightest prospects.
Veterans H.S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth also return as part of the team event squad, bringing valuable experience from India’s historic silver-medal-winning men’s team campaign at the previous Asian Games.
India’s biggest hopes in doubles will once again rest on Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who created history by winning the men’s doubles gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games. Widely regarded as one of the world’s premier men’s doubles partnerships, the duo enters Aichi-Nagoya with the experience of competing at the highest level and the confidence of having already conquered the continental stage.
The pair will be accompanied by Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun, providing India with two competitive men’s doubles combinations for the team and individual events.
India’s women’s doubles challenge will be led by the established pairing of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, who have consistently performed well on the BWF World Tour and remain among the country’s strongest medal contenders. They will be joined by the improving duo of Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi, who continue to gain valuable international experience.
In mixed doubles, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto have been entrusted with India’s hopes after establishing themselves as the nation’s leading combination in the discipline.
One of the most striking features of the squad is the inclusion of several emerging talents who have excelled in recent months. Ayush Shetty’s breakthrough performances earned him a coveted men’s singles berth alongside Lakshya Sen, while Tanvi Sharma, one of India’s most promising teenagers, has been rewarded after a string of notable victories on the BWF circuit.
Devika Sihag, fresh from her Thailand Masters title, Isharani Baruah, and Tharun Mannepalli further strengthen India’s depth, reflecting the growing pool of world-class badminton talent across the country.
The balance between seasoned internationals and fearless youngsters could prove to be one of India’s biggest strengths in Japan.
India enters the 2026 Asian Games carrying significant momentum from previous editions. The country has won 13 badminton medals in Asian Games history, with the 2022 Games producing the most successful campaign ever. India returned home with one gold, one silver and one bronze medal, highlighted by Satwik and Chirag’s historic triumph in men’s doubles and H.S. Prannoy’s individual bronze.
The men’s team has also shown encouraging form in recent months by securing another podium finish at the Thomas Cup, demonstrating that India remains among the strongest badminton nations in Asia.
According to the BAI, the final selections were made after considering recent international results, domestic performances and current BWF rankings. The federation’s approach reflects an emphasis on rewarding consistency while ensuring that India fields the strongest possible combinations in both team and individual events. BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra noted that Indian badminton is benefiting from unprecedented depth across categories, with established champions continuing to perform while younger players rapidly close the gap.
That combination of experience and emerging talent has produced one of the most balanced squads India has ever sent to the Asian Games.
For the individual events, India will be represented by:
Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty
Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda
Men’s Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan/M.R. Arjun
Women’s Doubles: Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi
Mixed Doubles: Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto
With Olympic medallists, former world No. 1s, reigning Asian champions and rising teenage stars all part of the contingent, India will travel to Aichi-Nagoya with genuine medal ambitions across multiple disciplines. The return of Satwik and Chirag in peak form, Sindhu’s vast experience on the biggest stages and Lakshya Sen’s resurgence provide India with proven match-winners, while the emergence of youngsters like Ayush Shetty, Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda ensures the future remains equally bright.
As the countdown to the 20th Asian Games continues, the selected squad reflects the remarkable evolution of Indian badminton—from relying on a handful of stars to possessing depth capable of challenging Asia’s traditional powerhouses across every category.
Asian Games 2026, Team India in Full for 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
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