Indians dominated proceedings on the opening day of the Syed Modi India Badminton Championship 2025 in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Top shuttlers HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Priyanshu Rajawat, Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma sailed into the pre-quarterfinals of the Super 300 event.
Men’s Singles
For Srikanth, Prannoy and Rajawat, it was a comeback on home turf after injuries and setbacks.
Last year’s semi-finalist Rajawat edged compatriot Meiraba Maisnam 21-18, 21-14. This is his first tournament since the Canada Open, where he sustained a knee injury. His target is to improve with each match and give his 100%.
“Right now, I’m not thinking much about winning. It’s all about improving as I’m returning from injury. So one round at a time,” said Rajawat.
Former World No. 1 Srikanth got past Kavin K.T. 21-13, 21-10. Srikanth is building up for the bigger events in 2026 and feels a good outing here will help him.
“A good performance will take me a little closer to entering some of the big events,” said the 2022 World Championship silver medallist.
Prannoy, who skipped the 2024 Syed Modi and lost in the first round of the India Open 2025, tasted victory on home soil after a long time. The 33-year-old eased past Shashwat Dalal 21-15, 21-10.
“Yeah, it’s been a tough phase and the year has been very ordinary for me. Playing at home and winning here always feels special,” said the 2023 World Championship bronze medallist.
Kiran George, Tharun Mannepalli, Alap Mishra, Siddhant Gupta, Mithun Manjunath, Manraj Singh, Rahul Bharadwaj and Dayanand Shimoga also made it to the Round of 16.
Women’s Singles
Top seed Unnati produced a brilliant effort, easing past Aakarshi Kashyap 21-13, 21-18. Junior World Championship silver medallist, Tanvi Sharma defeated her senior Asmita Chaliha 21-15, 21-19.
In another all-India clash, Tasnim Mir edged Aditi Bhatt 21-15, 11-21, 21-17, while Rakshitha Ramraj outclassed Shreya Lele 21-12, 21-14.
Anupama Upadhyay and Devika Sihag also marched into the next round.
Anmol Kharb, who was expected to have a good outing, went down to Japan’s fifth seed Hina Akechi 8-21, 10-21.
Japan’s former world Champion and 2023 Syed Modi champion, Nozomi Okuhara had a tough test in the first game against Adita Rao. The Indian started strongly and capitalised on Okuhara’s errors to lead 11-3 and extended it to 20-17. But the Japanese fought back with sharp placements, winning five straight points to take the first game. In the second, Okuhara came back better prepared, ending the match with a 21-14 win.
Mixed Doubles
C. Lalramsanga/Tarini Suri, Krishnan M./Prabhuanand V., Sathish Karunakaran/Aadya Variyath, Surya A./Pramuthesh A., Rawat D./Maneesha K. and Hariharan A./Treesa Jolly advanced to the Round of 16.
Women’s Doubles
Mansa Rawat/Gayatri Rawat, Zenith Abbigail/Likhita Srivastava and Vaishnavi Khandekar/Alisha Khan marched into the pre-quarterfinals.
Men’s Doubles
Shetty A./Udayakumar S. P. and Surya A./Vittalji G. smashed their way into the second round.
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