New Delhi: PV Sindhu has re-entered the top 10 of the global badminton rankings, marking a significant milestone in her comeback journey. The latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation place the two-time Olympic medallist at World No. 10, her first return to the elite bracket since 2023.
Sindhu, widely regarded as one of India’s finest badminton players, has shown steady improvement in recent months, regaining form after a challenging phase marked by injuries and inconsistent performances. Her climb back into the top 10 is seen as a positive sign ahead of major international tournaments this season.
Strong showing at Indonesia Open
Currently competing at the prestigious Indonesia Open, Sindhu advanced to the second round after a hard-fought victory over Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan. The Indian shuttler secured a straight-game win with a scoreline of 25-23, 21-16 in a 51-minute contest.
The opening game proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both players exchanging leads. Sindhu relied on her experience and aggressive stroke play to edge past her opponent. Carrying that momentum into the second game, she displayed greater control and composure to seal the match in straight sets.
Her performance reflects a return to her trademark attacking style, characterised by powerful smashes and sharp court coverage—qualities that once made her a dominant force on the world stage.
Tough challenge ahead
Sindhu is now likely to face reigning Olympic champion and current World No. 1 An Se-young of South Korea in the next round. The head-to-head record, however, poses a significant challenge for the Indian, as she has yet to register a win against An, trailing 0-9.
An Se-young continues to lead the women’s singles rankings, underlining her dominance in the circuit. A potential clash between the two could be a crucial test of Sindhu’s resurgence and her ability to compete against top-ranked opponents.
Mixed fortunes for Indian shuttlers
While Sindhu progressed, it was a disappointing outing for other Indian players in the tournament. Former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth and rising star Lakshya Sen suffered early exits, bowing out in the opening round.
Despite his loss at the Indonesia Open, Lakshya Sen continues to hold the 10th spot in the men’s singles rankings with 69,373 points. Meanwhile, China’s Shi Yu Qi remains the World No. 1 in men’s singles with 1,08,905 points.
In the women’s singles rankings, India’s next-best player after Sindhu is Unnati Hooda, who is currently ranked 23rd, highlighting the gap in depth within Indian women’s badminton at the elite level.
A significant comeback milestone
Sindhu’s return to the top 10 is not just a numerical achievement but a testament to her perseverance and dedication. After battling injuries and a dip in form over the past couple of years, the Hyderabad-based shuttler has worked her way back into contention among the world’s best.
Her Olympic achievements—a silver medal at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020—continue to stand as landmarks in Indian badminton history. With her renewed form and confidence, Sindhu will now aim to climb further up the rankings and add more titles to her illustrious career.
Conclusion
PV Sindhu’s comeback to the top 10 signals a promising phase for Indian badminton. As she continues her campaign at the Indonesia Open and prepares for upcoming international events, her performances will be closely watched. A strong showing against top-ranked opponents could further cement her position and potentially propel her back into the शीर्ष tier of world badminton.