India has been placed in a challenging Group D alongside runner-up South Korea and Macau for the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2025. The tournament is set to take place in Qingdao, China, from February 11 to 16.
India’s match schedule is as follows:
| Date | Opponent | Expected Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| February 12 | Macau | Moderate |
| February 13 | South Korea | Tough |
PV Sindhu Withdraws Due to Injury
India’s hopes of improving its medal color took a major hit as two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu withdrew from the championship due to a leg muscle injury. Sindhu, who was part of the Indian team that won a bronze medal in the last edition, sustained the injury during a training session in Guwahati on February 4.
Sindhu expressed her disappointment via a post on ‘X’ stating, “With a heavy heart, I am announcing my withdrawal from the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship 2025. Despite my efforts to play through the pain, MRI results revealed that recovery will take longer than expected.”
Indian Team’s Preparation
The Indian team is currently training in Guwahati. Apart from Sindhu, the squad includes:
| Player Name | Category |
| Lakshya Sen | Men’s Singles |
| HS Prannoy | Men’s Singles |
| Satwiksairaj Rankireddy | Men’s Doubles |
| Chirag Shetty | Men’s Doubles |
Sindhu’s Injury Struggles
Since winning her first Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022, Sindhu has been battling multiple injuries:
| Year | Injury Type | Impact on Career |
| 2022 | Stress fracture (left foot) | Missed World Championships, World Tour Finals |
| 2025 | Leg muscle strain | Withdrew from Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship |
India’s Prospects in the Tournament
Despite Sindhu’s absence, India remains a strong contender, with top singles players and a formidable men’s doubles pair. The team will need to bring its A-game, especially in the tough encounter against South Korea.
Sindhu has extended her best wishes to the team, assuring that she will be cheering them on throughout the tournament.
