Sindhu, Satwik-Chirag lead India's badminton squad for 2026 Asian Games
Synopsis
India's strongest-ever badminton contingent for an Asian Games is taking shape — Sindhu chasing a third Asiad medal, Satwik-Chirag defending their 2022 gold, and a new generation of juniors already on the international podium. With 13 medals in history and the 2022 edition its best ever, India is quietly building a case for a historic haul in Aichi-Nagoya.
Key Takeaways
PV Sindhu , Satwiksairaj Rankireddy , and Chirag Shetty will lead India's badminton squad at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
The Games run from 19 September to 4 October 2026 ; squad selected on BWF rankings as of 26 May 2026 .
Prannoy , and Kidambi Srikanth anchor the men's team, which also reached the BWF Thomas Cup bronze this year.
Young guns Ayush Shetty , Tanvi Sharma , and Unnati Hooda earn places after international podium finishes.
India has won 13 medals in Asian Games badminton history; the 2022 edition was its most successful with one gold, one silver, and one bronze .
PV Sindhu, a two-time Asian Games medalist, and reigning 2022 Asiad men's doubles gold medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will spearhead India's badminton challenge at the 20th Asian Games, scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) selection committee finalised the squad based on recent national and international performances and BWF rankings as of 26 May 2026.
Key Selections and Squad Composition
India's top-ranked men's singles player Lakshya Sen leads the men's contingent, joined by veterans H. S. Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth — both central to India's historic silver medal at the previous edition. The men's team retains the core of the side that claimed a bronze at this year's BWF Thomas Cup.
Among the new faces, Ayush Shetty, silver medallist at the Badminton Asia Championships, Tanvi Sharma, silver medallist at the BWF World Junior Championships Individual Championship, and Unnati Hooda, a Team Championship medallist, have all earned selection on the back of consistent international performances.
Doubles Strength Across Categories
Men's doubles pair Hariharan Amsakarunan and M. R. Arjun arrive in strong form — Arjun also carries experience from India's 2022 men's team silver. Women's doubles stalwarts Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela continue to anchor India's doubles effort, with Simran Singhi and Kavipriya Selvam providing depth. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto will represent India in mixed doubles.
Devika Sihag, champion at the Thailand Masters Super 300, along with Isharani Baruah and Tharun Mannepalli, further bolsters India's singles options.
What BAI Said
Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the BAI, described the squad as a reflection of Indian badminton's growing depth. 'Indian badminton today is in a position where success is being shaped not just by individual excellence, but by the growing depth of talent across categories,' Mishra said. He added that the squad represents 'a blend of experience, depth, and emerging talent' and expressed confidence in its ability to 'compete strongly at the Asian Games and make the country proud.'
India's Asian Games Badminton Record
India heads to Aichi-Nagoya with strong momentum, having accumulated 13 medals in Asian Games badminton history. The 2022 edition was India's most successful run, yielding one gold, one silver, and an individual bronze — the gold coming from Satwik-Chirag in men's doubles and the bronze from Prannoy. India's highest single-edition medal haul remains five bronze medals at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games.
Full India Squad for Asian Games 2026
Men's Team: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, H. S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan, M. R. Arjun, Dhruv Kapila.
Women's Team: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Devika Sihag, Tanvi Sharma, Isharani Baruah, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam, Simran Singhi, Tanisha Crasto.
Individual Championship: Men's Singles — Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty; Women's Singles — PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda; Men's Doubles — Satwiksairaj Rankireddy / Chirag Shetty, Hariharan Amsakarunan / M. R. Arjun; Women's Doubles — Treesa Jolly / Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi; Mixed Doubles — Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto.
With defending champions, in-form veterans, and a clutch of medal-winning juniors all in contention, India will be eyeing its most decorated Asian Games badminton campaign yet when competition begins in September.
Point of View
For the first time, genuinely deep. But depth on paper must translate to podiums across all five disciplines, and the Asian Games remain a different beast from the BWF circuit: best-of-five formats, pressure of national colours, and Chinese and South Korean opposition at their most motivated. Satwik-Chirag defending gold will be the headline story, but the real measure of progress is whether India can convert its junior medal-winners — Ayush Shetty, Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda — into senior finalists. If they do, Aichi-Nagoya could be the moment Indian badminton formally announces a generational transition.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the key players in India's badminton squad for the 2026 Asian Games?
PV Sindhu, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, and Lakshya Sen headline the squad. H. S. Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, and Dhruv Kapila are among the other senior names selected.
When and where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The 20th Asian Games are scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026. Badminton will be among the disciplines contested at the multi-sport event.
How did the BAI select the 2026 Asian Games badminton squad?
The Badminton Association of India's selection committee finalised the squad after reviewing recent national and international tournament results along with BWF rankings as of 26 May 2026.
What is India's badminton medal record at the Asian Games?
India has won 13 medals in Asian Games badminton history. The 2022 edition was its most successful, delivering one gold (Satwik-Chirag in men's doubles), one silver (men's team event), and one individual bronze (H. S. Prannoy).
Which young players have been included in India's 2026 Asian Games badminton squad?
Ayush Shetty (silver medallist at the Badminton Asia Championships), Tanvi Sharma (silver medallist at the BWF World Junior Championships), and Unnati Hooda (Team Championship medallist) are the notable young inclusions based on their recent international performances.
