The BWF World Junior Badminton Championships return to India after a 17-year absence, igniting national excitement as the second-seeded Indian team launches its campaign against Nepal in the mixed team event for the Suhandinata Cup on October 6, 2025, at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Guwahati. Running from October 6 to 19 in two phases—the team competition followed by individual battles for the Eye-Level Cup—the tournament features a revamped best-of-three relay-scoring format, where each set races to 45 points, promising high-octane action. Led by seasoned juniors Unnati Hooda and Rakshitha Sree, India's formidable lineup boasts current and former world No.1s, positioning them as favorites to dominate Group H alongside UAE, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. With free entry for spectators and live broadcasts of semifinals and finals on DD Sports, the event is poised to draw massive crowds and showcase emerging talents in front of home fans.

India's preparation has been meticulous, bolstered by the Badminton Association of India's (BAI) strategic exposure in recent junior events, including a narrow quarterfinal loss to Japan at the Asian Mixed Team Championships in February 2025. BAI General Secretary Sanjay Mishra expressed optimism, stating, "We have been performing quite well in the junior events over the last few years... We are again expecting multiple medals this time around as most of the team members have been training at this very venue for the last year or so." Placed in the relatively navigable Group H, India opens against Nepal on Monday, followed by clashes with Sri Lanka and UAE. A potential knockout showdown with 14-time champions South Korea looms large, a matchup that could define their medal aspirations. Other top contenders include defending champions Indonesia—who recently dethroned China at the Asian Mixed Team event—alongside Japan, Thailand, and a resurgent Chinese squad, setting the stage for fierce international rivalries.

The Indian contingent's medal prospects shine brightest in girls' singles, anchored by junior world No.1 Tanvi Sharma, Asian U-19 bronze medallist Vennala K, China Open quarterfinalist Unnati Hooda, and Rakshitha Sree—all regarded as gold contenders. Foreign singles coach Park Tae-Sang, a South Korean legend with Olympic pedigree, is bullish: "All our four girls' singles players are medal contenders and can even win the gold medal. Even our boys can beat any opponent on their day and I am confident that they will excel in home conditions." In boys' singles, world No.14 Rounak Chohan and 17-year-old prodigy Gnana Dattu TT provide firepower, while the doubles duo of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu—former world No.1 juniors—leads the paired events. Russian doubles coach Ivan Sozonov highlighted their edge: "I am aware that India has never won a medal in the paired events before this but this time we have a formidable lineup. These players have been playing regularly on the circuit and that experience of training at this venue should help them a lot."

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Historically, India has tallied 11 individual medals at the World Juniors, with their pinnacle achievement—a gold and bronze—at the 2008 Pune edition. Yet, the mixed team event remains uncharted territory for podium finishes, making this home edition a golden opportunity to etch a new chapter. The squad's training at the NCOE, a state-of-the-art facility equipped with international-standard courts and recovery amenities, has honed their relay format skills, emphasizing endurance and tactical adaptability. As Guwahati transforms into a badminton hub, the championships not only test these young athletes but also spotlight India's growing infrastructure investments, including BAI's targeted junior development programs since 2020.

With the weight of national expectations and the thrill of home advantage, India's juniors are primed for a breakthrough. Topping Group H seems assured, but navigating the knockouts against powerhouses like Indonesia and China will demand precision and poise. As Mishra noted, the recent surge in junior successes—spanning continental silvers and international exposure tours—fuels belief in a medal haul that could eclipse past glories. For these shuttlers, aged 15-19, glory in Guwahati could fast-track their senior careers, much like past standouts who transitioned to Olympic berths. As the shuttlecocks fly starting Monday, all eyes will be on whether India's next generation can deliver the historic triumph the nation craves.

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