PV Sindhu Withdraws from Badminton Asia Team Championships Due to Injury
In a significant setback for Indian badminton, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has pulled out of the upcoming Badminton Asia Team Championships. The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 3 in Qingdao, China, and Sindhu's absence deals a major blow to India's medal aspirations in the women's team competition.
Reason for Withdrawal and Recent Comeback
Sindhu, a former world champion, has withdrawn due to what sources describe as a "slight niggle". This development comes after she made a successful return to competition following a foot injury that sidelined her from October last year. Her recent performances included reaching the semifinals of the Malaysia Open, a first-round exit at the India Open, and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters.
This is not the first time Sindhu has missed a major team event. In 2025, she also withdrew from the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships after sustaining a hamstring injury during a training camp in Guwahati. The 30-year-old shuttler had shown promising form at the start of the season, notably reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open Super 1000 tournament.
Impact on Indian Team's Prospects
India's women's team had clinched a historic gold medal at the 2024 edition of the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia, marking the country's first medal in the women's team competition. With Sindhu unavailable, the team's chances of repeating that success appear considerably diminished.
India has been placed in Group Y alongside Thailand and Myanmar for the upcoming tournament. In Sindhu's absence, the singles responsibility will now fall on a younger generation of players:
- World junior championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma
- Unnati Hooda
- Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj
- Malvika Bansod
The doubles challenge will be spearheaded by Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly, with Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto completing the squad.
Sindhu's Recent Tournament Performance
Despite her withdrawal, Sindhu's recent comeback has shown flashes of her championship pedigree. After her semi-final appearance in Malaysia, she faced a disappointing first-round exit at the India Super 750 in New Delhi, losing to Vietnamese shuttler Nguyen Thuy Linh. However, she rebounded at the Indonesia Masters Super 500 tournament, winning her first two rounds against Japanese player Manami Suizu and Denmark's Line Kjærsfeldt before ultimately bowing out in the quarterfinals.
The Indian badminton community will be closely monitoring Sindhu's recovery, hoping she can return to full fitness for upcoming international competitions. Her experience and medal-winning capabilities remain crucial for India's ambitions in global badminton.
