India’s badminton contingent enters the 2026 Singapore Open with renewed focus on ending title droughts and finding consistency as the prestigious Super 750 event begins on Tuesday. Led by Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu, the Indian squad features a strong mix of experienced names and emerging talents across singles and doubles, all aiming to make a mark at one of the season’s key stops on the BWF World Tour.
The tournament arrives at a crucial juncture in the calendar, where players are not only competing for ranking points and prize money but also building momentum ahead of the second half of the season. For India, it represents both an opportunity and a test – opportunity to convert potential into podium finishes, and a test of resilience after a mixed run of results marked by injuries, early exits, and occasional flashes of promise from the younger crop.
Lakshya-Sindhu lead India’s push for revival
Reigning Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen will spearhead the men’s singles challenge as he looks to bounce back from a disappointing first-round exit last week at the Malaysian Masters. The Indian shuttler, who claimed the Australia Open title last November and finished runner-up at the All England earlier this year, has shown glimpses of top form but will be aiming for greater consistency. He opens his campaign against China’s Lu Guang Zu in what is expected to be a stern early test.
In women’s singles, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu begins her campaign against Indonesia’s fifth seed Putri Kusuma Wardani. Sindhu has endured a challenging phase following injury setbacks in 2025, which have disrupted her rhythm and led to inconsistent results on the BWF World Tour. However, her quarterfinal finish at the Thailand Open suggested signs of a gradual return to form, and she will be looking to build on that momentum in Singapore.
Young Indian shuttler Ayush Shetty continues to attract attention after a breakout season that included a runner-up finish at the Asian Championships and a key role in India’s bronze medal-winning Thomas Cup campaign. He faces Canada’s Victor Lai, last year’s World Championships bronze medallist, in a tough opening-round contest that will test his rising credentials at the elite level.
The spotlight will also be on India’s seasoned campaigners, Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, both of whom are aiming to rediscover consistency at 33. Srikanth, a former world No. 1, faces a familiar opponent in Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, in a rematch of their recent Thailand Open encounter, which the Indian won. Prannoy, meanwhile, has been handed a difficult opener against Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie, a match that will demand peak performance from the experienced Indian.
In women’s singles, Unnati Hooda, currently ranked World No. 22, faces a tough opening test against Japan’s Tomoka Miyazaki, a former junior world champion known for her speed and attacking game. Malvika Bansod continues her comeback trail after recovering from an ACL injury and will take on Lin Hsiang Ti of Chinese Taipei.
Doubles depth and broader challenges
India’s men’s doubles challenge will be led by fourth-seeded pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who reached the final at the Thailand Open Super 500. They begin their campaign against American pair Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith, with expectations high for a deep run given their recent form and ranking stability.
The men’s doubles field also features Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun, who face a challenging opener against Japan’s seventh-seeded duo Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. The duo in the recently concluded Malaysian Masters defeated the Popov brothers in the round of 32, before crashing out in the Round of 16 to Chinese pair Lin Xiangyi and Hu Keyuan.
In women’s doubles, India will be represented by Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi, who meet Spain’s Paula Lopez and Lucia Rodriguez, while the Panda sisters Rutaparna and Swetaparna take on Thailand’s Phattharin Aiamvareesrisakul and Sarisa Janpeng. Ashwini Bhat K. and Shikha Gautam complete the Indian challenge against Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ching Hui and Yang Ching Tun.
Overall, India’s campaign in Singapore will hinge on converting promising draws into sustained runs, with senior players seeking revival and younger shuttlers aiming to announce themselves on one of badminton’s biggest stages.
When and Where to Watch Singapore Open 2026?
You can catch all the LIVE action from the 2026 Singapore Open on the BWF YouTube channel and Jio Hotstar from 26 May 2026
Indian contingent for Singapore Open 2026
Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy
Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Malvika Bansod
Men’s Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan-Arjun MR
Women’s Doubles: Rutaparna Panda-Swetaparna Panda, Kavipriya Selvam-Simran Singhi, Ashwini Bhat-Shikha Gautam
Mixed Doubles: Rohan Kapoor-Ruthvika Gadde
– Ends
