New Delhi: India’s campaign at the upcoming Badminton Asia Team Championships has suffered a significant setback with two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu pulling out of the tournament, according to multiple media reports. The continental event is scheduled to begin on February 3 in Qingdao, China.
Sources familiar with the development said Sindhu has opted to skip the competition due to a minor physical niggle, prompting the team management to take a cautious approach. While the issue is not believed to be serious, the decision was taken to avoid the risk of aggravating the problem ahead of a demanding international season.
Sindhu’s withdrawal comes just months after she returned to competitive action following a foot injury that sidelined her from October last year. The former world champion showed encouraging signs on her comeback, reaching the semi-finals of the Malaysia Open, before suffering early exits at the India Open and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Indonesia Masters.
This is not the first time fitness concerns have forced Sindhu to step away from a major team event. The 30-year-old had earlier withdrawn from the 2025 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships after picking up a hamstring injury during a national training camp in Guwahati.
Sindhu’s absence is expected to significantly dent India’s medal prospects, especially in the women’s singles category, where she has been the team’s most reliable performer for over a decade. India’s women had created history at the previous edition in 2024 by winning gold in Malaysia, the country’s first-ever medal in the women’s team competition.
With Sindhu unavailable, the responsibility in women’s singles will now fall on a relatively young and less experienced lineup. World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma, along with Unnati Hooda, Rakshita Sree Santhosh Ramraj and Malvika Bansod, are set to shoulder the challenge against Asia’s top-ranked opponents.
In the doubles segment, Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly will lead India’s campaign, providing experience and stability. The rest of the squad includes Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra and Tanisha Crasto, who are expected to play supporting roles across ties.
India have been drawn in Group Y, where they will face Thailand and Myanmar, with only the top teams progressing further in the competition. Thailand, in particular, pose a strong challenge with depth across singles and doubles.
According to multiple reports, the Indian camp remains hopeful that Sindhu’s decision to withdraw is purely precautionary and aimed at ensuring her full fitness for upcoming individual tournaments later in the season. For now, however, her absence leaves India facing an uphill task as they look to defend their status among Asia’s elite badminton nations.