In a significant setback for India's medal aspirations, two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu has withdrawn from the Badminton Asia Team Championships, scheduled to begin next week in Qingdao, China. The continental event is set to take place from February 3rd to 8th.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Sindhu's withdrawal is due to a "slight niggle". This unfortunate development comes after Sindhu, a former world champion, had made a comeback from a foot injury that had sidelined her since October of last year.
Sindhu's recent performances included reaching the semifinals of the Malaysia Open, a first-round exit at the India Open, and a quarterfinal appearance at the Indonesia Masters.
This is not the first time Sindhu has had to withdraw from a major badminton event due to injury. In 2025, she also pulled out of the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships after sustaining a hamstring injury during a training camp in Guwahati. She had felt a twinge in her hamstring during training on February 4, 2025. An MRI had revealed that her recovery would take longer than initially expected.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) had previously announced Sindhu as the leader of the women's team for the 2026 Asia Team Championships. With Sindhu's absence, the responsibility in the singles category will now likely fall on players such as world junior championships silver medalist Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj, and Malvika Bansod. Commonwealth Games bronze medalists Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly are expected to spearhead the doubles challenge. Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto complete the squad.
India had achieved a historic victory at the 2024 edition of the tournament in Malaysia, securing their first-ever gold medal in the women's team competition. In the upcoming tournament, India finds itself placed in Group Y, alongside Thailand and Myanmar. The Indian men's team has secured bronze medals in 2016 and 2020.
Sanjay Mishra, the General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India, had previously expressed his excitement about the Indian team's participation on the international stage.
Sindhu's absence undoubtedly weakens India's chances at the Badminton Asia Team Championships. Her experience and skill would have been invaluable to the team as they aim to defend their title.
