Indian Shuttlers In Paris 2024: Can They Continue the Medal Streak?

The Olympics are a formidable challenge for athletes, who hope for favorable outcomes. However, the Badminton draw for Paris 2024 suggests a tough path for Indian shuttlers. India's performance in badminton has been strong in the last three Olympics. The question remains whether this trend will continue, especially given the current form of Indian players.

Prannoy’s Challenge

HS Prannoy, once in excellent form, has seen a decline in his performance recently. Despite a strong 2023, where he won a bronze at the World Championships and his first BWF World Tour title since 2017, 2024 has been challenging. Health issues, including recovering from chikungunya, have affected his game. Ranked 13th, Prannoy is placed in Group K with Vietnam's Le Duc Phat and Germany's Fabian Roth. While he should advance to the knockouts, tougher matches against players like Lakshya Sen or Jonatan Christie await.

Lakshya Sen’s Test

Lakshya Sen’s journey in Group L, one of the two groups with four players, will be demanding. He faces World No. 3 Jonatan Christie, who has been in superb form, alongside Kevin Cordon of Guatemala and Julien Carraggi of Belgium. Sen’s head-to-head record against Christie is not favorable, with four straight losses. However, Lakshya's ability to perform on big stages makes him a notable contender. If he tops the group, he might face Prannoy in the Round of 16, and then possibly Kodai Naraoka of Japan. Lakshya's big match experience, including victories against top players, makes him one to watch.

Sindhu’s Path

PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, is in a relatively easy Group M with Estonia's Kristin Kuuba and Maldives' Fatimah Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq. Sindhu is expected to reach the round of 16, where she may face China’s He Bing Jiao, followed by a possible quarterfinal against reigning Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei. Sindhu’s consistent performance in major events, especially against Chinese opponents, boosts her chances. Despite a balanced 6-6 record against Yu Fei, Sindhu’s recent form, including a close match at the French Open, indicates a tough but possible path to securing her third Olympic medal.

Women’s Doubles Prospects

In women’s doubles, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto, ranked 19th, face a tough Group C. They will compete against top pairs like Japan’s Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida, Korea’s Kim So Yeong-Kong Hee Yong, and Australia’s Setyana Mapasa-Angela Wu. Although not medal favorites, Ashwini and Tanisha's rapid rise and unfamiliar style could spring surprises.

Men’s Doubles Hopefuls

India's strongest medal hopes lie with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, former World No. 1 in men’s doubles. They lead Group C, featuring the French pair Lucas Corvee-Ronan Labar, Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto, and Germany’s Mark Lamsfuss-Marvin Seidel. Satwik and Chirag’s consistent performance in Paris, including two French Open titles, positions them well for a quarterfinal berth. Their objective will be to top the group, maintaining their unbeaten streak against Alfian and Ardianto. Despite a shoulder injury to Satwik earlier in the year, their comeback victory at the Thailand Open showcases their resilience. With strong performances throughout the year, including reaching four finals and achieving the World No. 1 ranking, Satwik and Chirag aim to make history by finishing on top of the podium in Paris.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics near, Indian shuttlers face a tough journey. Despite recent setbacks, Prannoy, Lakshya, and Sindhu have shown resilience and potential. In doubles, Ashwini and Tanisha could surprise, while Satwik and Chirag remain India's strongest medal contenders with their consistent performance. Though the path is challenging, the Indian badminton team is determined to continue their Olympic success.

Cover Credits - India Today