BADMINTON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS | India’s hopes rest on doubles after Sindhu, Ayush exit
Indian badminton players P.V. Sindhu and Ayush Shetty were eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals of the World Championships. Despite the singles losses, Indian doubles pairs Treesa Jolly, Gaytri Gopichand, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and Chirag Shetty successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.
Why it matters
The tournament highlights the shifting focus of Indian badminton success from individual singles stars to competitive doubles teams on the global stage.
Contrasting games, similar fortunes — the Indian singles campaign at the badminton World Championships ended in heartbreak with P.V. Sindhu and Ayush Shetty bowing out of the competition in the pre-quarterfinals here on Thursday.
The day that started with an Indian victory ended with one but the results in between left the two doubles pairs, one each in men and women, shouldering the host’s hopes in the prestigious tournament.
Treesa Jolly and Gaytri Gopichand advanced to the quarterfinals with a 21-16, 21-12 win against Japan’s Rin Iwanaga & Kie Nakanishi while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, returning to competitive action after almost three months, struggled to find their rhythm before prevailing 21-23, 21-19, 21-17 against Junaidi Arif and Roy King Yap of Malaysia.
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