Badminton Asia Championships: Satwik-Chirag Withdraw, Sen and Sindhu Lead India

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have withdrawn from the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China. The decision follows a recurring right shoulder injury sustained by Rankireddy, which has forced the duo to opt out of the continental showpiece.

The withdrawal comes after Rankireddy continued to experience pain, leading the pair to pull out of the event to prioritize his recovery. This follows a previous withdrawal from the Swiss Open ahead of their quarterfinal match due to the same shoulder issue.

Coach Tan Kim Her confirmed the situation to PTI on April 6, 2026, stating, Satwik still has some pain, so they won’t be playing this week.

India’s Singles Charge

With the top doubles pair absent, India will rely on Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu to spearhead their campaign. Both athletes are aiming to end a 61-year drought for an Indian singles title at the event.

The last Indian to secure a men’s singles gold at the continental meet was former national champion Dinesh Khanna in 1965. The 24-year-old Lakshya Sen, who recently finished as a runner-up at the All England Championships, is looking to replicate that feat.

Sen is scheduled to open his campaign against Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong.

PV Sindhu returns to competition after a disrupted European leg. The two-time Olympic medallist was forced to withdraw from the All England Championships after being stranded in Dubai due to conflict in West Asia. She subsequently skipped the Swiss Open for recovery and will begin her campaign against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching.

Additional Indian Entries

India has a comprehensive slate of players competing in the men’s and women’s singles categories:

• HS Prannoy, who is returning from a shoulder injury, will face a qualifier.
• Kidambi Srikanth is set to play against Singapore’s eighth seed, Loh Kean Yew.
• US Open champion Ayush Shetty will face China’s fifth seed, Li Shi Feng.
• In women’s singles, Unnati Hooda will compete against Thailand’s Supanida Katethong.
• Tanvi Sharma will also be in action against an opponent from Malaysia.

Context of the Withdrawal

The absence of Rankireddy and Shetty is a significant blow given their history at the tournament. The pair previously won the title in 2023, breaking a 58-year drought for Indians at the championships.

Rankireddy’s shoulder injury has been described as a recurrent issue resulting from overuse. While the pair has maintained a strong form in recent seasons, including a victory at the French Open Super 750, the decision to withdraw was made to address the injury properly and avoid rushing the recovery process.