The landscape of the prestigious India Open Super 750 badminton tournament, commencing Tuesday in New Delhi, has shifted significantly due to a series of high-profile withdrawals. This has opened the door for several Indian players, most notably young talents Tanvi Sharma and Tharun Mannepalli, who have been promoted from the reserve list to the main draw in women's and men's singles respectively.
Indian Contingent Gets a Boost
The home nation's representation at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall has received a substantial boost. The most prominent withdrawal came from Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, the women's singles third seed and reigning world champion. Her exit, following a retirement in the Malaysia Open quarterfinals last week, paved the way for World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma. The 16-year-old, who was the second reserve, now gets a golden opportunity to make her debut at the India Open.
In the men's section, the pullout of world champion and world number one Shi Yuqi of China created a vacancy. Shi Yuqi retired in the final of the Malaysia Open 2026 against Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn just a day earlier. This allowed Tharun Mannepalli to move up from the reserved category, adding another Indian name to the main draw.
The promotions were not limited to singles. The Indian women's doubles pair of national champions Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam also secured a main draw berth following the withdrawal of the Chinese duo of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian.
Revised Draw Sets Up All-Indian Clashes
Tharun Mannepalli's promotion has led to an intriguing scenario in the men's singles opening round. As per the revised draw, there will now be two all-India contests right at the start. While the original draw already pitted Lakshya Sen against Ayush Shetty, Tharun's entry means he will now face the experienced Kidambi Srikanth in his first-round match.
For Tanvi Sharma, the challenge is immense but presents a chance for a dream debut. She is slated to take on second-seed Wang Zhi Yi of China in her opening match. A stunning upset victory could potentially set up a second-round encounter with Indian superstar PV Sindhu, a prospect that has fans buzzing with excitement.
In women's doubles, the promoted pair of Ashwini Bhat and Shikha Gautam will begin their campaign against Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante of France.
List of Key Withdrawals and Promotions
Notable Withdrawals:
- Men's Singles: Shi Yu Qi (CHN), Weng Hong Yang (CHN)
- Women's Singles: Akane Yamaguchi (JPN), Sim Yu Jin (KOR)
- Men's Doubles: Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang (KOR)
- Women's Doubles: Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian (CHN)
Players Promoted to Main Draw:
- Men's Singles: Justin Hoh (MAS), Tharun Mannepalli (IND)
- Women's Singles: Huang Yu-Hsun (TPE), Tanvi Sharma (IND)
- Men's Doubles: Kang Khai Xing/Aaron Tai (MAS)
- Women's Doubles: Ashwini Bhat K./Shikha Gautam (IND)
The unexpected turn of events has undoubtedly added a fresh layer of narrative to the India Open Super 750. For young Indians like Tanvi and Tharun, it is a chance to showcase their skills on one of badminton's biggest stages right in front of the home crowd, turning late-notice call-ups into potential career-defining moments.
