The Paris 2024 Olympics are just around the corner, and the excitement is palpable as India prepares to field one of its strongest badminton contingents ever. Led by seasoned champions and bolstered by rising stars, the Indian badminton team is poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
PV Sindhu: Leading the Charge in Women's Singles
Group M Draw
PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, will spearhead India’s campaign in the women’s singles event. She has been drawn in Group M, where she will compete against Kristin Kuuba of Estonia and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq of the Maldives. Sindhu, ranked 13th in the world, is significantly ahead of her group opponents, with Kuuba ranked 75th and Razzaq 111th.
Path to Victory
Sindhu’s journey won’t be easy, despite her favorable group draw. Seeded 10th, she could face two-time World Championships medallist He Bingjiao of China in the round of 16 if both win their groups. A potential quarter-final showdown against reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei could be on the horizon, setting the stage for some thrilling matches.
Men's Singles: HS Prannoy and Lakshya Sen
HS Prannoy in Group K
HS Prannoy, seeded 13th, has been drawn in Group K for the men’s singles event. He will compete against Le Duc Phat from Vietnam and Germany’s Fabian Roth. Prannoy’s world ranking of 13th places him well above his group opponents, with Le Duc Phat ranked 70th and Roth ranked 82nd. Prannoy’s consistent performances make him a strong contender to advance past the group stage.
Lakshya Sen in Group L
Lakshya Sen faces a challenging draw in Group L, where he will go up against world No. 3 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, Kevin Cordon of Guatemala (ranked 41), and Julien Carraggi of Belgium (ranked 52). Sen, ranked 19th, will need to bring his best game to advance, especially considering Christie’s 4-1 head-to-head advantage over him. If Prannoy and Sen both win their groups, they will face each other in the round of 16, ensuring at least one Indian player advances to the quarter-finals.
Women's Doubles: Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa
Group C Draw
In the women’s doubles event, the pair of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa will represent India. Drawn in Group C, they face a tough competition, including the fourth-seeded Japanese pair Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida. Other competitors in the group are teams from Australia and South Korea. Crasto and Ponnappa will need to overcome these formidable opponents to progress further in the tournament.
Men's Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
Group C Draw
World Championships bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have been drawn in Group C for the men’s doubles badminton competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The draw was held at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Satwik-Chirag, third in the badminton world rankings, were seeded and drawn alongside the Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
World No. 6 Alfian-Ardianto is the only other badminton pair inside the top 10 to be placed in Group C. Group C also includes world No. 31 Mark Lamsfuss and Marvin Seidel of Germany and the world No. 43 French pair of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar.
Satwik-Chirag have faced the Indonesian pair of Alfian-Ardianto on five occasions and have a favorable 3-2 head-to-head record against them. The last time these two pairs faced each other was at the Korea Open 2023 where the Indians won. The reigning Asian Games champions are also unbeaten against their German and French group-stage opponents.
Historic Participation and Qualification
Largest Badminton Contingent
With five quota places secured—three in singles and two in doubles—India is set to field its largest-ever badminton team at the Paris Olympics. This marks a significant milestone in Indian badminton history, reflecting the country’s growing prowess in the sport.
Qualification Journey
PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Lakshya Sen earned their spots through their top 16 finishes in the Race to Paris rankings. The dynamic men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty secured their qualification by clinching the third spot, while the women’s doubles team of Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa qualified with their impressive performances in various international tournaments.
PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal: Flag Bearers for India
Carrying the Indian flag at the Olympics is a moment of immense pride. At the Paris Olympics 2024, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and accomplished table tennis star Sharath Kamal will share this honor. Their leadership at the opening ceremony symbolizes their remarkable achievements and the nation’s hopes for Olympic glory.
Expectations and Medal Hopes
Continuing the Legacy
India’s badminton team has a rich legacy at the Olympics, with Sindhu and Saina Nehwal previously winning medals. Sindhu, who won silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020, will be aiming for gold this time around. With a strong mix of experienced players and young talents, the Indian squad is well-prepared to take on the world’s best.
Star-Studded Squad
India’s badminton squad for the Paris Olympics includes:
- Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu
- Men’s Singles: HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen
- Women’s Doubles: Tanisha Crasto, Ashwini Ponnappa
- Men’s Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty
This star-studded squad, comprising four players in the men’s division and three in the women’s category, is poised to make a strong impression at the Paris 2024 Olympics.