India is hosting the World Championships for the first time since Hyderabad staged the event in 2009
Published: August 16, 2026, 3:29 PM IST
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India’s two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu on Friday, July 17, 2026, advanced to the women’s singles semifinals of the ongoing Japan Open Super 750 badminton tournament after Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara withdrew from the matchSindhu is seen celebrating a point during a women’s singles match against Japan’s Manami Suizu at the India Open 2025 badminton tournament, in New Delhi, in this file photo dated Thursday, Jan16, 2025(PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)
The BWF World Championships return to India after 17 years, with New Delhi hosting the prestigious tournament from MondayWith home support behind them, India’s established stars and young players will look to make the most of the opportunity.
The biggest name in India’s campaign will be PV SindhuThe two-time Olympic medallist already has five World Championships medals, including gold in 2019, two silver and two bronzeShe now has a chance to create history by winning a sixth medal.
Only China’s Lin Dan and Zhao Yunlei have also won five World Championships medalsA place in the semi-finals would guarantee Sindhu at least a bronze and make her the first player to win six medals at the tournament.
The ninth seed has received a favourable first-round draw against Ireland’s Sophia Nobel, ranked 141st in the worldHer projected route could see her face China’s third seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals and Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in the quarter-finalsWorld No.1 and Olympic champion An Se Young could await her in the semi-finals.
Sindhu enters the tournament with plenty of confidence after winning the Japan Open Super 750 last month, becoming the first Indian to win the title.
“I’m looking forward to the World Championships and since it’s happening in India, I’m really excitedHoping I keep my confidence going from winning the Japan Open and do well hereLooking ahead to get lot of support from the Indian crowd and hope I get a medal here,” Sindhu said.
India’s women’s singles field also includes Unnati Hooda, who will make her World Championships debut against Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thuzar.
In men’s doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be among India’s biggest medal hopesThe fifth seeds already have two World Championships bronze medals, won in 2022 and 2025They have a first-round bye but Satwik’s shoulder remains a concern after he missed around a month of actionTheir Singapore Open Super 750 title on their return, however, will give them confidence.
MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan will also compete in men’s doubles.
Men’s singles will see Ayush Shetty face a huge test in the first round against defending champion and world No.1 Shi Yu QiAyush has lost all three previous meetings but has shown he can trouble top players.
Lakshya Sen, the 14th seed, starts against Austria’s Collins Valentine FilimonThe 2021 bronze medallist will be hoping to find his best form after an inconsistent run since reaching the All England final earlier this year.
In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will lead India’s challenge, while mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will also be among the contenders.
The tournament also carries importance away from the courtIndia is hosting the World Championships for the first time since Hyderabad staged the event in 2009Organisers have worked on venue upgrades and arrangements after concerns surrounding the India Open earlier this year.
