Indian Badminton Faces Major Challenges in 2025 Lack of Bench Strength a Big Concern
Indian badminton is off to a rocky start in 2025, with some disappointing performances in major tournaments. The recent failures have raised serious concerns about the depth of talent in the sport. Despite having some top players, India is struggling in team events, and the next generation of players is yet to make a significant mark on the international stage.
India’s Poor Performance in Recent Tournaments
India’s struggles became evident in two major tournaments held in early 2025:
- Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship (BAMTC): India was knocked out in the quarterfinals despite fielding a strong team. The team lost 3-0 to Japan, which wasn’t even playing with its best squad. Earlier, they also lost to South Korea in the group stage.
- India Open Super 750: The biggest badminton tournament in India saw only one Indian pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, reaching the semifinals. No other Indian player made it that far.
These performances highlight a serious issue: while India has top players, there is not enough depth to compete in team events.
Lack of Young Players Ready to Take Over
For many years, India has relied on a few star players to bring home medals. However, this generation is aging, and the younger players are struggling to step up.
- Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen remains India’s top-ranked player, but he has been inconsistent. Veteran players like Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy are past their prime. Some young players like Kiran George and Priyanshu Rajawat have shown promise, but they are not yet at the top level.
- Women’s Singles: The gap between PV Sindhu and the rest is massive. Unlike Thailand, which now has four players in the world’s top 10, India has no rising star who can take Sindhu’s place. Young players like Malvika Bansod, Aakarshi Kashyap, and Ashmita Chaliha have yet to make a mark in big tournaments.
- Doubles Teams: Apart from the men’s doubles team of Satwik-Chirag, India has no other strong doubles pairs. In women’s doubles, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are the only hope, but they are still developing. Mixed doubles remains weak, with no Indian pair competing at the highest level.
The Importance of Bench Strength in Team Competitions
To win major team tournaments, a country needs more than just one or two great players—it needs a strong bench. India’s 2022 Thomas Cup win was historic because, for the first time, there were three strong singles players performing well together.
- Men’s Singles Depth in 2022: Back then, Lakshya Sen, Srikanth, and Prannoy played at an elite level at the same time, giving India a complete team.
- Current Situation in 2025: Now, these players are struggling, and no one new has stepped up.
- Women’s Team Struggles: In 2024, the Indian women’s team won the Badminton Asia Team Championship, but that was mainly because of Sindhu’s brilliance. Unlike in Thailand, where younger players have overtaken older stars, India still depends entirely on Sindhu.
This lack of new talent means that India is struggling to compete in top international events.
Systemic Problems Holding Indian Badminton Back
The problem isn’t just about a few players; it’s about how Indian badminton is managed. Several issues are holding back the development of new talent.
- Lack of Coaching Support: The Badminton Association of India (BAI) recently appointed a new women’s singles coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, but it’s unclear how effective this move will be.
- Neglect of Doubles Players: Apart from Satwik-Chirag, India has no world-class doubles players. The federation has focused more on singles, ignoring the need for strong doubles pairs.
- No Long-Term Planning: Unlike other countries that focus on developing young players from an early age, India still lacks a proper system to train future stars.
If these problems are not fixed soon, Indian badminton could decline further.
What’s Next for Indian Badminton?
With the 2028 Olympics approaching, India needs to act fast to rebuild its badminton strength. 2025 is a year without a major multi-sport event, making it the perfect time to invest in player development.
- More Focus on Young Players: The new generation of players needs more exposure in big tournaments. India should follow Thailand’s example, where young players are given opportunities to compete at the highest level.
- Better Support for Doubles Players: Winning team events requires strong doubles pairs. India must invest in building competitive doubles teams.
- Training and Coaching Improvements: Players need better coaching and more structured training programs to help them compete with the world’s best.
The recent failures of Indian badminton should be a wake-up call. If changes are not made now, the sport could struggle for years to come.
