Sudirman Cup: PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy flop as India's wait for semis berth continues
PV Sindhu failed to step up for India in Sudirman Cup 2025 (PTI Photo) PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy lost their singles matches against Indonesia
India took a rare 1-0 lead, but lost 1-4 to Indonesia
India will take on England in their final group-stage tie on Thursday
India's wait to reach their maiden semi-finals at the prestigious Sudirman Cup continued, as they were knocked out in the group stage once again. The Indian badminton team fell to a 1-4 defeat against Indonesia in their second Group D match in Xiamen, China, on Tuesday, 29 April.
This marked India's second consecutive loss, following a similar 1-4 drubbing at the hands of Denmark in their opening tie on Sunday.
With two wins each against India and England, Denmark and Indonesia sealed progression to the semi-finals from Group D. India and England will now meet on Thursday to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.
India's Thomas Cup triumph in 2022 and the silver medal in the men's team event at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou had sparked hopes of strong showings in future team events. However, the Sudirman Cup campaign began on the back foot, with two major injury setbacks - the absence of the country's top doubles pairings, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand.
With their doubles backbone missing, India needed their singles stars to step up - but PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy faltered in crucial matches against both Denmark and Indonesia.
The tie against Indonesia began brightly for India, with Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto pulling off a stunning come-from-behind win in the mixed doubles. The World No. 17 pair recovered from a 10-21 loss in the opening game to defeat Rehan Kusharjanto and Gloria Widjaja 10-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a marathon match that lasted an hour and 10 minutes.
The spirited win gave India a rare early lead in China, but the momentum was short-lived. SINDHU AND PRANNOY LOSE CRUCIAL MATCHES
India looked to PV Sindhu to consolidate their advantage, but the World No. 18 was outplayed in straight games by Putri Kusuma Wardani. Sindhu, visibly out of rhythm, struggled with Wardani's pace and confidence. She conceded early leads in both games, and although she mounted a brief fightback in the second, she lacked the firepower to force a decider.
HS Prannoy started his men's singles match well, taking the first game 21-19 against World No. 6 Jonatan Christie. However, Prannoy could not sustain the intensity and went down in three games after a grueling one hour and 13 minutes on court.
India's hopes then rested on the women's doubles, where Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra were outclassed in straight games by Lanny Tria Mayasari and Siti Silva Ramadhanti.
Things went from bad to worse in the final men's doubles match, as Hariharan Amsakarunan and Rethina Sabapathi also lost in straight games, sealing India's exit from the tournament.
India's wait to reach their maiden semi-finals at the prestigious Sudirman Cup continued, as they were knocked out in the group stage once again. The Indian badminton team fell to a 1-4 defeat against Indonesia in their second Group D match in Xiamen, China, on Tuesday, 29 April.
This marked India's second consecutive loss, following a similar 1-4 drubbing at the hands of Denmark in their opening tie on Sunday.
With two wins each against India and England, Denmark and Indonesia sealed progression to the semi-finals from Group D. India and England will now meet on Thursday to avoid finishing at the bottom of the group.
India's Thomas Cup triumph in 2022 and the silver medal in the men's team event at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou had sparked hopes of strong showings in future team events. However, the Sudirman Cup campaign began on the back foot, with two major injury setbacks - the absence of the country's top doubles pairings, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand.
With their doubles backbone missing, India needed their singles stars to step up - but PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy faltered in crucial matches against both Denmark and Indonesia.
The tie against Indonesia began brightly for India, with Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto pulling off a stunning come-from-behind win in the mixed doubles. The World No. 17 pair recovered from a 10-21 loss in the opening game to defeat Rehan Kusharjanto and Gloria Widjaja 10-21, 21-18, 21-19 in a marathon match that lasted an hour and 10 minutes.
The spirited win gave India a rare early lead in China, but the momentum was short-lived. SINDHU AND PRANNOY LOSE CRUCIAL MATCHES
India looked to PV Sindhu to consolidate their advantage, but the World No. 18 was outplayed in straight games by Putri Kusuma Wardani. Sindhu, visibly out of rhythm, struggled with Wardani's pace and confidence. She conceded early leads in both games, and although she mounted a brief fightback in the second, she lacked the firepower to force a decider.
HS Prannoy started his men's singles match well, taking the first game 21-19 against World No. 6 Jonatan Christie. However, Prannoy could not sustain the intensity and went down in three games after a grueling one hour and 13 minutes on court.
India's hopes then rested on the women's doubles, where Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra were outclassed in straight games by Lanny Tria Mayasari and Siti Silva Ramadhanti.
Things went from bad to worse in the final men's doubles match, as Hariharan Amsakarunan and Rethina Sabapathi also lost in straight games, sealing India's exit from the tournament. Join our WhatsApp Channel
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