India’s rising badminton stars are set to showcase their talent on the international stage as a 17-member squad gears up for the Dutch Junior International and German Junior tournaments in February and March 2025.
National U-17 champion Gnana Dattu T will lead the Indian contingent, which also features junior world No. 6 Raunak Chouhan, Adarshini Shri, and doubles specialists Bhavya Chhabra and Param Chaudhary among others.
Tournaments and Schedule
- Dutch Junior International – February 26 to March 2 in Haarlem, Netherlands.
- German Junior International – March 5 to March 9 in Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
The squad comprises four boys’ and four girls’ singles players, two boys’ doubles, two girls’ doubles, and two mixed doubles pairs.
Selection Process
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) selected the squad based on its selection guidelines:
- Direct entry was given to winners of the All India Junior Ranking Tournament (U-19) in Hyderabad.
- The remaining slots were filled through selection trials held in New Delhi, featuring top-ranked players and semifinalists from the Hyderabad event.
BAI’s Junior Development Focus
Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of BAI, highlighted the significance of these tournaments for young players transitioning to the senior circuit.
“The Dutch Junior International and German Junior tournaments have been crucial stepping stones in the development of young athletes. Indian players have consistently made their mark in these competitions before progressing to the senior level,” said Mishra.
“This augurs well for our junior development plan, especially with 10 Indian players currently ranked in the BWF World Junior top 10.”
India’s Past Success at These Events
Indian players have historically performed well in these tournaments:
- Surya Charisma Tamiri won the girls’ singles bronze in the 2024 German Junior.
- Ayush Shetty secured boys’ singles bronze in 2023, later winning a World Junior bronze.
- RMV Gurusai Dutt remains the only Indian boys’ singles player to win the Dutch Junior International gold (2008), the same year he won the Commonwealth Youth Games gold and World Junior bronze.
India’s 17-Member Squad for Dutch & German Junior Tournaments
Boys’ Singles:
- Raunak Chouhan
- Gnana Dattu TT
- Suryaksh Rawat
- Pranauv Ram N
Girls’ Singles:
- Adarshini Shri
- Tanoo Chandra
- Rujula Ramu
- Tanvi Reddy Andluri
Boys’ Doubles:
- Bhavya Chhabra / Param Chaudhary
- Mithilesh PK / Vishnu Kedar Kode
Girls’ Doubles:
- Pragati Parida / Vishakha Toppo
- Anaya Bisht / Angel Punera
Mixed Doubles:
- Bhavya Chhabra / Angel Punera
- Lairamsanga C / Vishakha Toppo
With a promising squad and a structured selection process, India is optimistic about making a strong impact at these prestigious junior tournaments. As the young shuttlers prepare for international competition, the focus will be on gaining valuable experience and delivering standout performances on the road to the senior circuit.
