Indian men’s and women’s badminton teams are gearing up for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup respectively, set to kick off in Chengdu on Saturday. The men’s team, aiming to defend their title, will face tough competition in the form of powerhouse teams like Indonesia, Thailand, and England in Group C.
The Indian men made history two years ago by clinching their first Thomas Cup crown, shocking the badminton world. Now, with the pressure of being defending champions, they will rely on experienced players like HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and Kidambi Srikanth to lead the charge.
Prannoy, who recently overcame a chronic stomach disorder, is determined to give his team a strong start as the top-ranked singles player. Sen and Srikanth will also play crucial roles in the team’s success, along with young talents like Priyanshu Rajawat and the dynamic doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
In the Uber Cup, a young Indian women’s team led by Ashmita Chaliha will face a challenging task against top seeds China and Singapore in Group A. With star player P.V. Sindhu absent, the team will rely on the likes of Anmol Kharb, Isharani Baruah, and Tanvi Sharma to make an impact.
Despite the tough competition, the Indian women will look to test their mettle and aim for a strong showing in the tournament. With a mix of experienced and young players, both the men’s and women’s teams are ready to give their all and make their mark on the international badminton stage.