Indian badminton had a modest year in 2024. While Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty started the year well, things did not go to plan at the Olympics. Thereafter, the duo had to take a long break on account of the injury to Satwik. PV Sindhu was modest at best, while HS Prannoy was laid low by Chikungunya and other health concerns from the middle of the year. Lakshya Sen was good in patches and did well at the Olympics but missed out on a medal. He played some good matches and beat many higher-ranked opponents, but lacked the consistency that all of us wanted to see.
Among the next crop, Priyanshu Rajawat continues to search for consistency and has been blow-hot-blow-cold at best. Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand have been the big movers, and played some really good matches in the year-ender. This could well be their year to make the big step up.
To start with Satwik-Chirag. The Malaysia Open marks a fresh start for India’s famed duo under coach Tan Kim Her. It was under him that they made the ascent to the pole position in the world doubles rankings and this could well be the infusion of fresh energy that they need. There was never any doubt about the quality they have and it is now about refining a few things and winning the big tournaments like the All England and other super 1000s. Seeded No. 7, they have a tough draw in Malaysia and it will be interesting to see how they shape up at the start of the year.
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Sindhu is giving Malaysia a miss having recently got married, and the focus will be on Gayatri and Treesa in her absence. We have noticed serious improvement in the duo in 2024 and they could well make it to the top five in 2025. Lakshya too could turn a new leaf, for he now knows he can beat the best and be in that elite top 7-8 in the world.
Of all people, I am keen to see how Prannoy shapes up. He is all effort and heart and it was very painful to see him laid low by the multiple health issues he faced. Age isn’t on his side, and for him to make yet another comeback would be a stellar effort. Can he rediscover his form and add more to his already glorious career? Can he win something big in front of home fans in the India Open starting on January 14 in New Delhi?
In every sense, Indian badminton needs a reboot. Not winning a medal in Paris has hurt the sport and it is time to make a comeback in 2025 and get things back on track. The new Olympic cycle will also start, and then there is the Asian Games in 2026. No Indian has won the All England in recent times, and that’s another box that needs to be ticked. In sum, the sport needs some big results in 2025, and it could well begin with the Malaysia Open Super 1000 starting today.
Also Read: PV Sindhu, Anmol Kharb and doubles pair Treesa/Gayatri seal gold for India in Asia team championship