The India Open 2025 has been a rollercoaster of emotions for Indian badminton fans, with some stunning wins and heartbreaking losses. On the second day of the tournament, Anupama Upadhyaya emerged as a standout performer, bringing some cheer to a day otherwise marred by early exits for several high-profile Indian players. Despite the hype surrounding home advantage, HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and Priyanshu Rajawat were all knocked out in the opening round, underlining the unpredictable nature of the sport and the stiff competition from their international counterparts.
In the men's singles category, the tournament proved to be a difficult one for the Indian contingent. HS Prannoy, who had been in good form recently, was taken out by Su Li Yang of Chinese Taipei in a match that saw some twists and turns. After winning the second game 21-18, Prannoy couldn’t sustain his momentum and lost the third 12-21, bowing out early. This was a major setback for India’s hopes in the men’s singles, as Prannoy has often been the country’s strongest contender in global competitions. Meanwhile, Lakshya Sen, fresh off his Syed Modi International Super 300 victory, faced a highly competitive opponent in Chun Yi Lin, also from Chinese Taipei. Sen couldn’t quite find his rhythm, losing 21-15, 10-21, 21-10. Despite a strong start in the first game, he fell apart in the later stages, which left fans disappointed. Priyanshu Rajawat also put in a spirited effort against Kodai Naraoka of Japan. After splitting the first two games, Rajawat couldn’t hang on and eventually lost 16-21, 22-20, 13-21. The match lasted more than an hour and saw Rajawat push the world No. 7 player to his limits, but in the end, he just didn’t have enough to make it through.
Kiran George was the only Indian male player to survive the day. His performance was crucial in ensuring that some semblance of hope remained for the Indian men's singles team in the tournament. He managed to navigate through his opening round with ease, and fans are now hoping for him to carry the flag forward in the next rounds.
In the women's singles, Anupama Upadhyaya stole the spotlight with a hard-fought victory over her close friend Rakshitha Sree, also a Gopichand Academy trainee. The 19-year-old from Almora held her composure, winning 21-17, 21-18 in a match where both players displayed tremendous skill and determination. Anupama’s win was an emotional one, given the strong bond between the two players, and she will now face Tomoka Miyazaki, the sixth seed from Japan, in the next round. This will undoubtedly be a tough challenge, but it also presents an excellent opportunity for Anupama to further showcase her talent on the big stage.
Meanwhile, PV Sindhu, India’s top women’s singles player, also progressed to the second round, though her path wasn’t as heavily discussed due to the early exits of many other top contenders. Sindhu has long been regarded as one of India’s biggest sporting icons, and her presence in the latter stages of this tournament is expected to provide some much-needed hope to Indian fans.
In contrast, Aakarshi Kashyap was eliminated in the first round by Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand. Despite putting up a valiant effort, she couldn’t break through her opponent’s solid defense, losing 17-21, 13-21. Malvika Bansod, India’s second-best player in women’s singles, showed early promise by leading Han Yue of China 14-11 in the first game, but unforced errors allowed her opponent to turn the tide. Bansod lost the match 21-16, 21-11, and will surely be disappointed with her performance after showing early signs of an upset.
The doubles action on Day 2 of the India Open 2025 was far more positive. Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa, both coming off a Guwahati Masters win, looked in excellent form as they dispatched Kavya Gupta and Radhika Sharma 21-11, 21-12, making their way to the second round. The duo’s strong net play and sharp smashes were on full display as they advanced confidently. Meanwhile, the Panda sisters, Rutuparna and Swetaparna, staged a spectacular comeback after losing the first game 7-21 to defeat Phattharin Aiamvareesrisakul and Sarisa Janpeng of Thailand 21-19, 21-14. Their resilience was commendable, and the duo’s performance served as a reminder that Indian doubles players are continuing to make strides on the international circuit.
In mixed doubles, the pair of Ashith Surya and Amruta Pramuthesh were dominant, securing a 21-14, 21-15 win over K Tarun and Sri Krishna Priya Kudaravalli to reach the second round. Their precise shot placement and defensive discipline were key factors in their smooth progression.
Globally, the tournament saw some big names make their mark. A Se Young, the world No. 1 and Olympic champion from South Korea, began her campaign with a comfortable 22-20, 21-15 victory over Chiu Pin Chian of Chinese Taipei. In the men’s singles, Viktor Axelsen, the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Denmark, made a strong comeback after a slow start to defeat Yu Jen Chi of Chinese Taipei 16-21, 21-11, 21-13.
As the tournament continues, all eyes are on the remaining Indian players, particularly Sindhu and Anupama, as they look to keep India's hopes alive. With several top-seeded players progressing, the competition is heating up, and the India Open 2025 is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. India's badminton stars will look to use their home-court advantage to turn the tide in their favor and create more memorable moments for their supporters in the coming rounds.
