World junior
Indian Shuttlers' 2026 Roadmap: Eyes On Global Glory
The pivotal moments of Indian badminton’s 2025 season were few but impactful. Key among them was Lakshya Sen’s win at the Australian Open, his first title since December 2024 and his first outside India in nearly two years. The women’s doubles team of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly successfully defended their Syed Modi International title. That same tournament also saw Kidambi Srikanth almost break a five-year title drought but was ultimately beaten in the final by Hong Kong’s Jason Gunawan, highlighting the season’s slim margins.
Among the younger players, Ayush Shetty’s breakthrough was particularly notable. The 20-year-old won the U.S. Open Super 300 title, establishing himself as a promising talent. Also impressive was 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma, who earned a silver medal in girls’ singles at the World Junior Championships. Tanvi delivered one of the season’s most memorable performances at the Syed Modi International, where she defeated former world No. 1, world champion, and Olympic medallist Nozomi Okuhara, marking a significant milestone in her early career.
