BWF World Championships 2026: Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag Lead India’s Home Challenge

New Delhi, August 16: Former World Champion PV Sindhu and Thomas Cup winners Satwik-Chirag will be leading the charge for Indian badminton at the 30th BWF World Championships, which is set to kick off tomorrow, Monday, here at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

The World Championships are returning to the shores of India after a long break of 17 years. Naturally, the badminton fans will be hoping that the Indian contingent led by Satwik-Chirag and PV Sindhu could go all the way on home turf and script yet another golden chapter in Indian badminton.

BWF World Championships 2026: Sindhu Eyes 6th Medal

Sindhu, the most successful Indian player in the World Championships with one gold, two silver and two bronze so far, is confident of adding another medal to her tally. The 9th seed begins her campaign against world no. 141 Sofia Nobel of Ireland on Monday in the round of 64, and her path to the semi-final looks similar to the last edition in Paris as she is likely to face China’s 3rd seed Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarters, with a possible last eight clash against sixth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia.

Sindhu’s last World Championships medal came in 2019 when she became the first Indian to win the coveted title. However, the 31-year-old has found her winning rhythm heading into the tournament, clinching the Japan Open Super 750 crown in July.

“This World Championships is very special for me because it is happening in India. I haven’t won a medal in the championships for seven years, but my confidence has received a boost after the Japan Open win and I am hopeful of winning one more medal here,” said Sindhu, who watched the 2009 edition of the World Championships from the stands in Hyderabad.

Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yuqi: Monday Blockbuster In World Championships

Besides Sindhu, all eyes will be on Monday’s opening-round clash between Ayush Shetty and defending champion Shi Yu Qi. The lanky Indian shuttler, who clinched silver at this year’s Asian Championships, is making his World Championships debut on home soil and said competing in familiar surroundings made the occasion all the more special.

“I would say it is the biggest tournament I have played so far. It is a really big tournament for everyone, even for the world’s best players. I think it is a huge stage and it is happening in India,” he said.

Speaking about his first-round clash against Shi and whether it was better to play the Chinese early on, Ayush said, “I think it is tough in whichever round you are playing Shi Yu Qi. It will be a first match of the tournament for me as well and I hope that it will be great match,” said the 21-year-old, who currently has a 0-3 head-to-head record against the world number 1.

Lakshya Sen Eyes World Championships Glory After 25th Birthday

On the other hand, Lakshya Sen begins his World Championships campaign on Tuesday, when he takes on Austria’s Collins Filimon. Meanwhile, the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have received a first-round bye.

Lakshya, who turned 25 on Sunday, faces a daunting path ahead, with a potential pre-quarterfinal meeting against second seed and former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
In mixed doubles, India’s Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh have been elevated to the main draw and will start their campaign against Turkey’s Emre Sonmez and Yasemen Bektas.

World Championships 2026: Indian Matches On Day 1

• MS: Ayush Shetty vs 1-Shi Yuqi (China)
• WS: 9-PV Sindhu vs Sofia Nobel (Ireland)
• MD: MR Arjun/Hariharan Amsakarunan vs Scott Guildea/Paul Reynolds (Ireland)
• WD: Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand vs Paula Lopez/Lucia Rodriguez (Spain)
• WD: Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi vs Nikol Carulla/Carmen Maria Jimenez (Spain)