New Delhi buzzed with badminton excitement at the BWF India Open, but India’s hopes took a severe hit on Thursday. Lakshya Sen’s compatriot Kidambi Srikanth crashed out in the second round, while Malvika Bansod’s defeat spelled the end for Indian women in singles.
Srikanth, the former World No. 1, faced a tough battle against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke. The Indian ace started strong, clinching the first game 21-18 with his signature smashes. But Gemke fought back fiercely, leveling the score in the second game 21-19. The decider saw Srikanth falter under pressure, losing 15-21 as unforced errors piled up. This early exit marks another setback for Srikanth, who has struggled to regain his peak form post-injury.
In women’s singles, Malvika Bansod carried the tricolor alone after Priyanshu Rajawat’s earlier withdrawal. The 22-year-old Nagpur shuttler met China’s Yeo Jia Min in the second round. Malvika pushed hard but couldn’t overcome the higher-ranked opponent, going down 18-21, 14-21. With her out, India’s women’s singles challenge evaporated, leaving fans disappointed yet hopeful for doubles pairs.
Lakshya Sen remains India’s top bet in men’s singles, advancing steadily. The tournament, part of the Super 750 circuit, offers crucial ranking points ahead of the Olympics. Organizers reported packed stands, with Indian players drawing massive support despite the losses.
Experts point to fitness and mental resilience as key areas for improvement. Coach Pullela Gopichand emphasized learning from defeats. As the event progresses, all eyes are on whether doubles combinations like Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty can salvage India’s medal aspirations.