Did India Face Disappointment at the Thailand Open?
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Synopsis
India’s participation in the Thailand Open 2025 ended in disappointment as all players, including the prominent women’s doubles team of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, faced early exits. The results highlight ongoing challenges for Indian badminton at the elite level, especially with key players missing or out of form.
Key Takeaways
- India's badminton campaign ended prematurely at the Thailand Open 2025.
- Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand faced a tough loss in the second round.
- Indian singles players had disappointing performances against top competitors.
- The absence of key players like PV Sindhu impacted the team's performance.
- Emerging players need opportunities to develop and shine on the international stage.
Bangkok, May 15 (NationPress) India’s journey in the Thailand Open 2025 came to an unfortunate conclusion on Thursday, as all remaining players, including the esteemed women’s doubles duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, were eliminated in the second round of the BWF Super 500 tournament held at Bangkok’s Nimibutr Stadium.
Ranked third and holding the 10th position globally, Treesa and Gayatri were anticipated to lead India’s challenge, particularly in the absence of prominent singles athletes. However, after a strong initial performance, the pair succumbed 20-22, 14-21 to Japan’s Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara in a match lasting 53 minutes.
The Indian duo pushed the first game to a close finish, demonstrating their skill, yet failed to secure pivotal points. Energized by their narrow victory, the Japanese team took full control in the second game, eliminating the Indian challengers.
With their departure, India’s campaign effectively came to an end, as the remaining four singles players also faced defeats earlier on that day. In the women’s singles, India’s aspirations were dashed by a trio of formidable Thai competitors. Rising star Unnati Hooda, ranked 45th globally, was outplayed 21-14, 21-11 by the top seed and world No. 6 Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Malvika Bansod, currently ranked 23rd worldwide, couldn’t overcome Thailand’s former world champion Ratchanok Intanon. The seventh-seeded Thai player leveraged her experience and tactical prowess to secure a 21-12, 21-16 victory. Similarly, Aakarshi Kashyap faced defeat, losing 21-9, 21-14 to fourth seed Supanida Katethong, who never allowed the Indian to find her rhythm.
On the men’s side, Tharun Mannepalli was the sole Indian to reach the second round but faced a daunting challenge against world No. 3 Anders Antonsen from Denmark. The second-seeded Dane proved too powerful for the young Indian, winning comfortably 21-14, 21-16. Earlier, Lakshya Sen and Priyanshu Rajawat were unable to progress past their opening matches, further extending India’s struggles in significant BWF events.
This series of early exits underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Indian badminton at the elite level, particularly with major figures such as PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy either absent or struggling with form. The Thailand Open was viewed as an opportunity for emerging talent to shine, but the performances fell short of expectations.
Point of View
These early exits reveal the challenges faced by Indian badminton on the global stage. While the absence of top players like PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy is notable, it also provides an opportunity for emerging talent to step up. We must focus on nurturing these young athletes to ensure a stronger future in badminton.
NationPress
11/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the results for Indian players at the Thailand Open 2025?
All Indian players, including Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, and several singles competitors, faced early exits in the Thailand Open 2025.
Who did Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lose to?
They lost to Japan's Rui Hirokami and Sayaka Hobara in the second round.
How did India's singles players perform?
India's singles players also faced defeats, with notable losses against top Thai players.
What does this mean for Indian badminton?
This highlights ongoing struggles for Indian badminton, especially with key players absent or underperforming.
Was there any hope for young Indian players?
Yes, the tournament was seen as an opportunity for emerging talent to showcase their skills.
