Missing Top Players At India Open 2026 – Big Chances For Indian Shuttlers
Several big international names have withdrawn from India Open 2026, turning this BWF World Tour Super 750 event into a major opportunity for Indian players like HS Prannoy and Srikanth Kidambi. Recent updates on the official World Tour tournament page show multiple changes in the main draw entries.
Major Men’s Singles Withdrawals
The biggest shake-up in 2026 is in men’s singles.
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) has withdrawn as he continues to manage serious back issues after surgery, having already skipped early 2026 events like the Malaysia Open.
Anders Antonsen (DEN) has also pulled out, which has moved HS Prannoy from the reserve list into the main draw.
Li Shi Feng (CHN) has withdrawn from both the Malaysia Open 2026 and India Open 2026 after injuries sustained at the World Tour Finals.
These absences remove three major title contenders and make the men’s draw more open for other seeded players and home favourites.
Women’s Singles And Doubles Withdrawals
Several important names in women’s singles and doubles are also missing.
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (INA) has withdrawn from India Open 2026 after already pulling out of the Malaysia Open 2026.
Pornpawee Chochuwong (THA) is out due to a recurrence of her left calf injury, the same issue that forced her to withdraw from the 2025 World Tour Finals and earlier events.
- Yeo Jia Min (SGP) has withdrawan from India Open 2026.
Unnati Hooda (IND) has also withdrawn from India Open 2026, which is a setback for Indian women’s singles representation but may open space for other Indian players to step up.
In Doubles, More Changes Appear In The Entry Lists.
The Japanese women’s doubles pair Rin Iwanaga / Kie Nakanishi have withdrawn from both Malaysia Open 2026 and India Open 2026 due to Iwanaga’s shoulder injury.
The Chinese Taipei men’s doubles pair Wang Chi-Lin / Chiu Hsiang Chieh are out of India Open 2026.
The Chinese Taipei mixed doubles pair Yang Po-Hsuan / Hu Ling Fang have also been withdrawn from the event.
According to the latest entry updates, these withdrawals are reflected on the official World Tour tournament pages.
HS Prannoy And Srikanth Kidambi: Big Home Opportunity
For Indian fans, there is a clear silver lining.
HS Prannoy moves directly into the main draw after Anders Antonsen’s withdrawal, turning a reserve spot into a prime chance at home.
Srikanth Kidambi secured his place in the main draw when Viktor Axelsen pulled out, giving him a direct route into the tournament without qualifiers.
With some of the very top seeds missing, both Prannoy and Kidambi now have better chances to reach the later stages and collect valuable Super 750 ranking points in front of a passionate New Delhi crowd.
India Open 2025 Memories
Tickets On Ticmint.com And Confirmed Court Layout
For spectators, ticketing and court information are now clearer than before.
Official India Open 2026 tickets are available on Ticmint.com, which is listed as the main online ticketing partner.
The detailed stadium layout on Ticmint confirms that four competition courts will be used, numbered 3, 1, 2 and 4 on the map.
Two additional warm-up courts are also shown in a restricted area, reserved for players only and closed to the public.
Because court numbering and positions are now visible on the layout, fans can choose their seats with better awareness of where each match court is located inside the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. This is especially useful for those who want to sit near a particular court or side.
India Open 2025 Results Recap
Men’s singles: Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) def. Lee Cheuk Yiu (Hong Kong, China) 21–16, 21–8.
Women’s singles: An Se-young (Korea) def. Pornpawee Chochuwong (Thailand) 21–12, 21–9.
Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei / Nur Izzuddin (Malaysia) def. Kim Won-ho / Seo Seung-jae (Korea) 21–15, 13–21, 21–16.
Women’s doubles: Arisa Igarashi / Ayako Sakuramoto (Japan) def. Kim Hye-jeong / Kong Hee-yong (Korea) 21–15, 21–13.
Mixed doubles: Jiang Zhenbang / Wei Yaxin (China) def. Thom Gicquel / Delphine Delrue (France) 21–18, 21–17.
Why These Withdrawals Matter
The list of missing top players will change the feel of India Open 2026.
The absence of stars such as Axelsen, Antonsen, Li Shi Feng, Tunjung, Chochuwong and others means the field is less top-heavy than 2025.
However, the draw becomes more open and unpredictable, giving Indian shuttlers and other rising players a realistic chance to reach quarterfinals, semifinals and even finals.
With updates on withdrawals being reflected on the official BWF World Tour tournament site, fans can track changes in real time as the event approaches.
For followers of Indian badminton and readers of badmintonpb.com, India Open 2026 remains a key home tournament: some global stars are missing, but the storylines around Indian players and a more open draw may make this edition even more exciting to watch.
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