- P.V. Sindhu is absent from the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship.
- Ashwini Ponnappa will pair with Tanisha Crasto for India.
- India's gold medal hopes are challenged without Sindhu.
Owing to injury, ace badminton player P.V. Sindhu will be unable to participate in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship. In her absence India will rely on experienced players like Ashwini Ponnappa, who will partner with Tanisha Crasto at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship, starting in Qingdao on February 11, 2025. Without Sindhu's skills, India faces a tough challenge in their pursuit of the elusive gold medal at the tournament.
India aims to improve on their bronze medal finish from the previous edition, where Sindhu played a key role in Dubai two years ago. Her absence due to a hamstring injury is a significant setback as India begins its campaign in the prestigious biennial event.
Sindhu sustained the injury during a pre-tournament training camp in Guwahati on February 4, forcing her to withdraw last minute. With Sindhu unavailable, the responsibility falls on world No. 29 Malvika Bansod to step up in women’s singles.
India is placed in Group D and will begin their campaign against Macau on Wednesday, followed by a match with Korea on Thursday. India has never won gold at the Asia Mixed Team Championships but secured mixed team gold and silver at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and 2022.
A top-two finish in the group will secure a spot in the quarterfinals, with exceptional performances needed to advance further.
Recent successes include India’s first-ever Thomas Cup gold in 2022, a silver at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Malaysia, and a historic men’s silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
