Badminton News: Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen is only included as a reserve in India’s squad for the 2023 Sudirman Cup Championship to be held in Suzhou, China from May 14-21.
India’s two highest ranked men’s singles players, namely HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth, feature in the main team alongside world number 6 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty and Dhruv Kapila/MR Arjun for the men’s doubles sector.
The Indian men made history last year by winning the prestigious Thomas Cup and hopes of a podium finish have risen further after their bronze appearance at the Asian Mixed Team Championships earlier this year.
“The Sudirman Cup is a prestigious tournament and the selectors have selected the best team after studying the national and international results. We are sure that the team will fight for the medals this year,” said the secretary of the Indian Association of badminton, Sanjay Mishra.
In the women’s section, PV Sindhu and defending national champion Anupama Upadhaya will compete in the singles event while Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly and Ashwini Ponappa/Tanisha Crasto will lead the women’s doubles event.
K. Sai Pratheek and Tanisha are the only mixed doubles pair in this year’s Sudirman Cup squad, while Aakarshi Kashyap is the second reserve.
The Indian team is in Group C which is a bit difficult with Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and also Australia.
Indian team in Sudirman Cup 2023:
Men’s singles: HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth (Reserve: Lakshya Sen)
Women’s singles: PV Sindhu, Anupama Upadhyaya (Reserves: Aakarshi Kashyap)
Men’s doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty, MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila
Women’s Doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly, Ashwini Ponnappa/Tanisha Crasto
Mixed Doubles: Tanisha Crasto/Sai Pratheek
Tags: Lakshya Sen, Sudirman Cup 2023
