Top Indian shuttlers, including two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, will commence their campaign in the main draw of the Asia Badminton Championships (ABC) on Wednesday, hoping to find their rhythm.
Tuesday marked the beginning of the qualifying rounds for the 40th edition of the prestigious continental competition, while the main draw, featuring the best competitors, will not take place until Wednesday.
It will be difficult for India to return with a medal, as the majority of its best players have been out of form this season.
India have won 17 medals at ABC so far, with Dinesh Khanna claiming the lone gold in 1965. Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Lakshmi Sen will have to perform out of their skins to end the title drought.
India’s top players have struggled this season, making it difficult to win a medal.
Sindhu reached the finals of the Madrid Spain Masters after a lengthy injury layoff, and the eighth-seeded Indian will aim to find her “A” game when she opens her campaign against Taiwanese opponent Wen Chi-hsu.
In the men’s singles, world No. 9 Prannoy has been consistent, and he will seek to prepare for the tougher matches with a strong showing against Phone Pyae Naing of Myanmar in the opening round. 2021 world silver medalist Kidambi Srikanth will face Adnan Ebrahim of Bahrain.
Former world No. 6 Sen endured a difficult 2023, as his ranking plummeted due to a string of early exits, compelling the Indian to take a break.
In the first round, Sen will face former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, who poses a formidable challenge.