HS Prannoy, ranked 9th in the world, and two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu have been selected to lead the Indian challenge at the 2023 Sudirman Cup in China from May 14th to 21st.
The senior national selection committee met on Tuesday and picked a “balanced” squad with the aim to clinch Indian’s first-ever medal in the mixed team championships.
Last year, the Indian men created history by winning the prestigious Thomas Cup and hopes of a potential podium finish were raised further following the bronze medal-winning performance in the Asian Mixed Team Championships earlier this year.
“The Sudirman Cup is a prestigious tournament, and the selectors have picked the best squad after studying the domestic and international results. We are confident that this team will challenge for a medal this year,” said Badminton Association of India Secretary Sanjay Mishra.
India has been grouped with Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Australia in Group C, and their first task will be to make it to the knock-out stage from the potentially trick group.
The return of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who missed the Asian mixed team event due to injury, will strengthen the men’s doubles squad, while the experienced Ashwini Ponnappa and new partner Tanisha Castro will support the All England semi-finalists Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly.
Kidambi Srikanth and reigning senior national women’s singles champion Anupama Upadhyaya will be the other singles players in the squad.
Indian team:
Men’s singles: HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth (Reserve: Lakshya Sen)
Women’s singles: PV Sindhu, Anupama Upadhyaya (Reserve: Aakarshi Kashyap)
Men’s doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty, MR Arjun/Dhruv Kapila
Women’s doubles: Gayatri Gopichand/Treesa Jolly, Ashwini Ponnappa/Tanisha Crasto
Mixed doubles: Tanisha Crasto/Sai Pratheek.