Did Kidambi Srikanth Just Bow Out of the BWF India Open?
Synopsis
In a gripping showdown at the BWF India Open, former champion Kidambi Srikanth faced a tough defeat against Christo Popov, while Malvika Bansod’s loss concluded India’s women’s singles participation. This article delves into the highs and lows of India’s badminton campaign and the challenges faced by its players in this prestigious tournament.
Key Takeaways
Kidambi Srikanth lost in the round of 16 to Christo Popov .
Malvika Bansod concluded India’s women’s singles run.
PV Sindhu was eliminated in her opening match.
HS Prannoy progressed to the next round.
India’s mixed doubles pairs faced defeats.
New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) Former champion Kidambi Srikanth exited the BWF India Open after losing to French player Christo Popov in the round of 16 on Thursday.
The ex-world No. 1 and silver medallist from the 2021 World Championships faced a challenging match, concluding with scores of 14-21, 21-17, and 17-21 against Popov at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex.
After dropping the first game 14-21, Srikanth displayed remarkable resilience in the second, taking it 21-17 to force a decisive third game. However, Popov elevated his game in the final set, demonstrating composure and clinching the match with a 21-17 finish.
This marked Srikanth's first defeat against Popov in their third meeting. In December, Popov made history as the first French player to win the World Tour Finals 2025, defeating world champion Shi Yu Qi in the final.
Earlier, Srikanth advanced to the second round by overcoming compatriot Tharun Mannepalli with scores of 15-21, 21-6, and 21-19.
Meanwhile, India’s journey in the women’s singles came to an end as Malvika Bansod lost to Chinese player Han Yue in straight games, 18-21 and 15-21.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was also eliminated, losing her opening match 20-22, 21-12, 21-15 to Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Linh. Despite this, Malvika kept India’s hopes alive initially with a victory over Taiwanese player Pai Yu-po, 21-18, 21-19, before her defeat.
Earlier in the tournament, HS Prannoy, a bronze medallist at the World Championships, secured a win in his first-round match against Lee Cheuk Yiu from Hong Kong with scores of 22-20, 21-18.
In men’s doubles, India’s top pair, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, moved forward to the second round after receiving a walkover against the USA's Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith.
Unfortunately, all three Indian mixed doubles pairs were eliminated in their first-round matches. Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh lost 21-15, 21-7 to Japan’s Yuichi Shimogami and Sayaka Hobara, while Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde fell 21-19, 21-14 to Marvin Seidel and Thuc Phuong Nguyen from Germany. Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto also lost 21-15, 21-14 against Thailand’s Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
Point of View
Our commitment is to provide an unbiased perspective on national sports events. The recent BWF India Open showcased both the resilience and the challenges faced by our athletes. While Srikanth's exit is disappointing, we remain hopeful for future tournaments. The spirit of competition is alive, and we will continue to support our players as they strive for excellence.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Kidambi Srikanth lose to in the BWF India Open?
Kidambi Srikanth lost to French player Christo Popov in the round of 16.
What were the scores in Srikanth's match against Popov?
The scores were 14-21, 21-17, and 17-21 in favor of Popov.
Who ended India’s women’s singles campaign?
Malvika Bansod ended India’s women’s singles campaign after losing to Han Yue.
Did PV Sindhu win her opening match?
No, PV Sindhu lost her opening match against Nguyen Thuy Linh.
How did HS Prannoy perform in the tournament?
HS Prannoy won his first-round match against Lee Cheuk Yiu from Hong Kong.
