Indian Shuttlers Face Mixed Fortunes at BWF World Championships 2026
New Delhi – The BWF World Championships 2026 witnessed a day of contrasting fortunes for Indian badminton players in New Delhi on Wednesday. While the seasoned PV Sindhu and rising star Ayush Shetty secured comfortable straight-game victories to advance to the pre-quarterfinals, India’s medal hopes took a hit with the unexpected exits of Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda after hard-fought battles.
Shetty and Sindhu March On with Conviction
Teenage sensation Ayush Shetty continued his remarkable run in the tournament, demonstrating exceptional control and skill. Following his stunning upset of top seed and defending champion Shi Yu Qi in the opening round, Shetty dispatched Sri Lanka’s Dumindu Abeywickrama with ease, winning 21-8, 21-10 in a mere 26 minutes. From the outset, Shetty asserted his dominance, building an impressive 11-3 lead in the first game and maintaining his composure to close it out comfortably. The second game saw a similar narrative, with Shetty establishing a significant lead before fending off a late surge from Abeywickrama to seal the match. He now faces a challenging encounter against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in the Round of 16 on Thursday, a match that promises to be a true test of his burgeoning talent.
Joining him in the next round is two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, who showcased her characteristic resilience and experience against Canada’s Wen Yu Zhang. Despite facing moments of pressure from her opponent, Sindhu maintained her composure and delivered a strong performance, securing her spot in the pre-quarterfinals with a 21-16, 21-17 victory. Her ability to close out crucial points in both games highlighted her mental fortitude and tactical prowess.
Heartbreak for Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda
The day, however, was not without its disappointments for the Indian contingent. Lakshya Sen, seeded 14th in the men’s singles, suffered a major upset at the hands of USA’s world No. 92 Garret Tan. In a thrilling three-game encounter that captivated spectators, Tan emerged victorious with a scoreline of 19-21, 21-19, 21-17, ending Sen’s campaign prematurely. The loss will undoubtedly be a setback for Sen, who had been expected to make a deeper run in the championship.
Similarly, young prodigy Unnati Hooda’s journey concluded after a nail-biting match against Canada’s 13th seed Michelle Li. Hooda fought valiantly, pushing the match to a decisive third game, but ultimately fell short with a final score of 21-11, 9-21, 21-23. Her spirited performance, despite the loss, signals her potential for future successes.
Mixed Doubles See Further Indian Progression
In other results from the day, the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto continued their impressive form, comfortably moving into the next round with a dominant 21-11, 21-11 victory. Furthermore, the formidable men’s doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty advanced to the pre-quarterfinals through a walkover, providing them with valuable rest ahead of their upcoming matches. However, the men’s doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun were unable to progress, losing to South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju.
As the BWF World Championships 2026 progresses, all eyes will be on Ayush Shetty and PV Sindhu to carry the torch for India’s singles challenge, aiming to build on their victories and advance further in this prestigious tournament.
