Asian Games 2026: BAI Announces 20-Member Indian Badminton Squad; Sindhu, Lakshya, and Satwik-Chirag Headline Contingent
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) selection committee has officially announced the 20-member Indian badminton contingent for the upcoming 20th edition of the Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
The selection committee finalized the roster after a comprehensive review of recent international performances and the BWF world rankings as of May 26, 2026. The squad presents a balanced blend of established world-class veterans and emerging young talents who have excelled on the global circuit over the past few months.
Men’s Contingent: Experienced Core Retained
The men's squad heavily retains the experienced nucleus that secured a historic team silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and clinched a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup earlier this year.
World top-10 star Lakshya Sen headlines the men's singles charge alongside veteran and previous edition's bronze medalist HS Prannoy, and former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth. They are joined by Badminton Asia Championships silver medalist Ayush Shetty and the talented Tharun Mannepalli, adding substantial singles depth.
The men's doubles lineup is anchored by the reigning Asian Games defending champions, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who have recently recaptured their peak form. The newly emerging tandem of Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun—the latter also bringing silver-medal experience from the previous team event—strengthens the doubles front along with versatile doubles specialist Dhruv Kapila.
Women’s Contingent: Sindhu Leads Next-Gen Brigade
Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu anchors the women's squad, bringing irreplaceable experience to the team event and leading the individual women's singles challenge.
In a clear nod to youth development, BAI has rewarded several rising teenage stars with maiden continental call-ups following stellar international breakthroughs. BWF World Junior Championships individual silver medalist Tanvi Sharma, and Team Championship medalist Unnati Hooda have secured highly-coveted spots. Thailand Masters Super 300 champion Devika Sihag and national standout Isharani Baruah complete a highly competitive singles setup.
The women's doubles pairings will be spearheaded by India’s top-ranked duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela. They will be closely complemented by the steadily rising combination of Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam. Tanisha Crasto also joins the squad to fortify India's multi-discipline capabilities.
Discipline Breakdown for Individual Events
India will field representations across all five individual events alongside the respective men's and women's team championships:
- Men's Singles: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty
- Women's Singles: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda
- Men's Doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan / MR Arjun
- Women's Doubles: Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi
- Mixed Doubles: Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto
Looking Back to Move Forward
India heads into Japan holding an overall historic tally of 13 medals at the continental tournament. The previous edition in Hangzhou marked the country's most successful single-edition campaign, generating a record haul of 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze. Backed by extensive structural depth and momentum across both singles and doubles circuits, the selection committee projects a highly competitive showing in Aichi-Nagoya.
Complete Indian Badminton Squad for Asian Games 2026
Men's Team Championship Roster:
- Lakshya Sen
- Ayush Shetty
- HS Prannoy
- Kidambi Srikanth
- Tharun Mannepalli
- Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
- Chirag Shetty
- Hariharan Amsakarunan
- MR Arjun
- Dhruv Kapila
Women's Team Championship Roster:
- PV Sindhu
- Unnati Hooda
- Devika Sihag
- Tanvi Sharma
- Isharani Baruah
- Treesa Jolly
- Gayatri Gopichand Pullela
- Kavipriya Selvam
- Simran Singhi
- Tanisha Crasto