Sindhu & Dhruv-Tanisha Upset Big at Badminton Worlds

Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu delivered a commanding 21-19, 21-15 victory over world number 2 Wang Zhi Yi of China in 48 minutes, advancing to the quarterfinals of the World Badminton Championships. The 15th-ranked Indian, a 2019 world champion, showcased her resilience and attacking prowess, overcoming a late 19-19 tie in the first game and dominating the second despite a grueling 57-shot rally. “I knew it’s not going to be easy... I had to be consistent and keep the shuttle in,” Sindhu said, crediting her focus and preparation. Now facing Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani, Sindhu is one win from a record-equalling sixth World Championships medal, extending her stellar record against Chinese players.

In a parallel triumph, India’s mixed doubles pair Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto stunned world number 5 Hong Kong duo Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 in a 63-minute thriller, securing their quarterfinal spot. After a straight-game win over Ireland’s Joshua Magee and Moya Ryan, the Indians rallied from a game down, with Tanisha noting, “We didn’t give up... we kept pushing each other till the last shot.” Dhruv highlighted their mental strength, a turnaround from early 2025 struggles, as they now face Malaysia’s world number 4 pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, eyeing a maiden World Championships medal.

Sindhu’s gritty performance, despite an inconsistent year marked by injuries and early exits, and Dhruv-Tanisha’s resilient fightback underscore India’s rising dominance in badminton. With Sindhu emphasizing a match-by-match approach—“It’s not over yet. I need to come back tomorrow much stronger”—and the doubles pair building momentum, their quarterfinal clashes promise high-stakes drama, positioning India as a formidable force at the 2025 World Championships.

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