India Eyes Redemption at Indonesia Open as Satwik-Chirag and Sindhu Lead the Charge

Former champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty headline India’s contingent at the prestigious Indonesia Open Super 1000 badminton tournament, which begins Tuesday at Jakarta’s iconic Istora Senayan. The duo will look to build on their impressive semifinal run at last week’s Singapore Open as they aim to reclaim the title they lifted in 2023.

Returning from a spell on the sidelines due to Satwik’s health concerns and Chirag’s back injury, the pair made a strong statement in Singapore, notably dismantling the world No. 1 Malaysian duo of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin. Now ranked 27th, Satwik and Chirag are keen to continue their climb back into the top 20. They begin their campaign against home favourites Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana — a stiff opening test in front of a passionate local crowd.

“Keeping our comeback momentum is key,” said a source close to the pair. “They’ve shown they still belong among the world’s best.”

In women’s singles, two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu will look to turn a corner after a difficult 2024 marred by injuries and early exits. Having sat out the Asia Team Championships with a hamstring injury, Sindhu has struggled to regain form, with notable losses to lower-ranked opponents in recent months.

However, last week in Singapore, she showed flashes of her championship pedigree before bowing out in a hard-fought battle against Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei. Now working under new coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama, Sindhu faces Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in a high-stakes opening clash — a rivalry that has produced several memorable matches.

Among the other Indian women’s singles players, Anupama Upadhyaya faces South Korea’s Kim Ga Eun, Rakshitha Sree Ramraj takes on Thailand’s Supanida Katethong, and Malvika Bansod meets Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani.

In men’s singles, HS Prannoy will aim to find consistency against Alwi Farhan of Indonesia. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen returns from a back injury but has a tough draw against China’s world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi. Kiran George, also from the PPBA academy, will test himself against Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion.

India’s challenge in women’s doubles will be led by Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who face the Japanese pair of Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. Gayatri is also on the path back from injury.

In mixed doubles, India is fielding four pairs, including Dhruv Kapila/Tanisha Crasto and Rohan Kapoor/Ruthvika Shivani, all seeking deep runs in one of the season’s most competitive tournaments.

With key players returning to fitness and form, the Indonesia Open offers a crucial opportunity for India’s shuttlers to reassert their presence on the world stage.