Top Medal Contenders for India at the 2022 Badminton World Championship

Indian badminton fans expect a fantastic performance from the Indian contingent at the 2022 Badminton World Championship in Tokyo, Japan, following their excellent five-medal run at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is the only Indian shuttler to win a gold medal at the Badminton World Championships, winning the title in Basel in 2019.

The 27-year-old Hyderabad native has pulled out of the 2022 BWF World Championships due to an ankle injury, ending her hopes to make amends for the disappointing performance at the 2021 edition of the event. 

Saina Nehwal and Malvika Bansod will represent India in the women's singles event. However, their chances of winning a medal look bleak, considering the challenge at the BWF World Championships.

So, let’s take a look at some of the top contenders for India to clinch a medal at the 2022 BWF World Championships:

Lakshya Sen

The next-generation Indian sensation Lakshya Sen will be attending the BWF World Championships at the top of his form. He won the gold medal on his Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham after an impressive victory against Ng Tze Yong of Malaysia in the final.

The 20-year-old Almora native has proven his capabilities at top-tier events, making him one of the top contenders to win a medal at the BWF World Championships.

However, defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark will prove to be a hardy opponent to crack for the young Indian sensation.

Lakshya Sen will lock horns with Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark in the first round of the championship on August 22.

Srikanth Kidambi

2022 Commonwealth games Bronze medallist Srikanth Kidambi is a former World No. 1 player. The 29-year-old finished off the 2021 BWF World Championships with a silver medal. He is expected to attain a podium finish this year as well. 

Srikanth Kidambi is in the same half of the draw as H.S Prannoy and Lakshya Sen, but his previous experience at the event makes him one of the top contenders for India.

Srikanth Kidambi will open his campaign against Nhat Nguyen in a first-round clash on August 22.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty

The men’s doubles pairing Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won the gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games without dropping even a single set. 

The India duo has received a first-round bye and is expected to secure a podium finish at the BWF World Championships.