B D Narayankar
Bengaluru, Dec 30 (.) The year 2025 proved to be a year of highs and challenges for Indian badminton.
Young star Lakshya Sen delivered one of the biggest highlights of the season by winning the Australian Open Super 500 title. His consistent performances across multiple tournaments reaffirmed his position among the world’s elite players and gave Indian badminton fans plenty to cheer about. Sen’s rise continued to inspire younger athletes and highlighted India’s growing competitiveness in men’s singles events.
The men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty continued to impress on the global stage. They claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships and reached finals at prestigious tournaments, including the Hong Kong Open and China Masters.
Their remarkable achievement of reaching the knockout stage of the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou made them the first Indian men’s doubles pair to do so, reinforcing India’s growing presence in world badminton.
While some athletes shone brightly, 2025 also saw challenges for established stars. PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy faced inconsistent performances and injury setbacks, which limited their impact in key international tournaments. Despite these hurdles, both continued to contribute to the team’s performance and remained vital to India’s ambitions on the world stage.
The emergence of new talent was a key feature of 2025. Unnati Hooda, who won the Odisha Masters Super 100 title and contributed to India’s bronze at the World Junior Mixed Team Championships, became a player to watch.
Similarly, Sanskar Saraswat captured attention by claiming his maiden Super 100 title. Their performances signaled a strong pipeline of young talent ready to take Indian badminton forward in the coming years.
Indian shuttlers were active throughout the BWF World Tour, including events such as the India Open, Hong Kong Open, and BWF World Tour Finals.
The India Open continued to attract top global talent early in the year, providing Indian players with valuable exposure and experience against elite opponents. The combination of international experience and domestic preparation proved crucial in shaping India’s performance in 2025.
At the Senior National Badminton Championships in Vijayawada, new stars emerged. Surya Charishma Tamiri made headlines with a stunning win over top seed Unnati Hooda and secured a place in the final, showcasing the depth of talent present in Indian badminton.
The domestic circuit continued to play a vital role in nurturing young athletes and preparing them for global competitions.
In summary, 2025 was a year of mixed fortunes for Indian badminton, characterised by significant individual successes, promising young talent, and challenges for some of the established stars.
Lakshya Sen’s victories, the achievements of Rankireddy-Chirag in men’s doubles, and the rise of new players like Unnati Hooda signalled optimism for the future.
While the season highlighted areas that need improvement, particularly in consistency and fitness, it also reinforced India’s growing stature in global badminton. The year laid the foundation for a new generation of athletes who can aspire to achieve greater success on the world stage, making 2025 a year of both reflection and hope. . . . .
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