Paris

India witnessed a mixed day at the Badminton World Championships as star shuttler PV Sindhu bowed out in the quarterfinals, while doubles pairs Satwiksairaj Rankireddy–Chirag Shetty and Dhruv Kapila–Tanisha Crasto kept medal hopes alive by advancing further.

Sindhu’s campaign ends

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu’s bid for a sixth World Championships medal ended after a hard-fought loss to Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani. The Indian lost 14-21, 21-13, 16-21 in a 64-minute contest. Sindhu had earlier raised hopes with a stunning win over world No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi in the pre-quarterfinals, but could not sustain her momentum in the last-eight clash.

The defeat marked a disappointing end to her campaign in Paris, though her spirited fightback in the second game earned applause.

Satwik-Chirag keep hopes alive

India’s top men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, produced a thrilling comeback to reach the quarterfinals. After dropping the first game against China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, the duo displayed composure and aggressive net play to win 19-21, 21-15, 21-17.

The win has boosted their medal prospects, as they continue to be among the most consistent performers on the global stage.

Dhruv-Tanisha stun seeded pair

The mixed doubles combination of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto delivered one of the biggest surprises of the tournament. The Indians upset fifth seeds Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet in a tense encounter, winning 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 in just over an hour.

Their victory underlined India’s growing depth in doubles, traditionally considered a weak spot compared to singles. The young duo has now emerged as strong contenders heading into the final rounds.

Highlights of India’s performance

  • PV Sindhu’s exit ends her quest for a record sixth medal at the event.

  • Satwik and Chirag have entered the last eight with a gritty comeback win.

  • Dhruv and Tanisha stunned higher-ranked opponents to secure their quarterfinal berth.

    • Conclusion

    While Sindhu’s early exit came as a setback for Indian fans, the performances of Satwik-Chirag and Dhruv-Tanisha ensured that India’s medal chances remain bright. As the tournament progresses, attention will now shift to how the doubles pairs carry forward the nation’s hopes on the world stage.