NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, rising star Lakshya Sen, and the formidable doubles duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will headline India's squad for the Badminton Asia Team Championships, scheduled to be held in Qingdao, China, from February 3 to 8.
India enter the tournament as defending champions in the women's category, while the men's team will look to build on their previous successes, having secured two bronze medals in past editions.
"Selected on the basis of ranking, performance, and experience, the women's team will once again be led by former world champion and two-time Olympics medallist, PV Sindhu," the Badminton Association of India said in a release.
World No. 13 Lakshya Sen will spearhead the men's singles lineup, which also includes seasoned shuttlers Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy, along with US Open champion Ayush Shetty and Tharun Mannepalli.
In doubles, the world-class duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will headline the contingent, supported by Guwahati Masters runners-up Sai Pratheek K and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, as well as Hariharan Amsakarunan.
In the women's category, Sindhu will be supported by world junior championships silver medalist Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj and Malvika Bansod in singles,
Syed Modi International champions Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly will lead India's charge in the doubles while Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto complete the squad.
BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra said, “Over the last few years, Indian teams have consistently been medal contenders at the Asian and World level and this squad has the right mix of form and experience and is capable of challenging for the crown in both categories."
Team:
Men's: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, Prannoy HS, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, Sai Pratheek K, Hariharan Amsakarunan
Women's: PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Malvika Bansod, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Tanisha Crasto.
(With PTI Inputs)
