BWF World Juniors: Second seeds India begin campaign against Nepal, eye home glory

Bolstered by a formidable line-up that includes present and former junior world No.1s, second seeds India will start their marketing campaign in opposition to Nepal within the blended crew occasion of the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships, starting on the Nationwide Centre of Excellence right here on Monday (October 6, 2025).

Returning to India after a 17-year hole, the championships will likely be held in two phases from October 6 to 19 — the blended crew occasion for the Suhandinata Cup adopted by the person competitors for the Eye-Stage Cup.

Led by skilled campaigners Unnati Hooda and Rakshitha Sree, the Indian squad carries excessive hopes of a historic house efficiency, having secured the second seeding within the event.

India, positioned in Group H alongside UAE, Sri Lanka and Nepal, are favourites to high their group within the newly launched best-of-three relay-scoring format, the place every set will likely be performed as much as 45 factors.

“We now have been performing fairly effectively within the junior occasions over the previous couple of years with BAI giving sufficient publicity to the gamers as a part of the preparation for the World Junior Championships in Guwahati.

“We’re once more anticipating a number of medals this time round as many of the crew members have been coaching at this very venue for the final 12 months or so,” stated BAI normal secretary Sanjay Mishra in a launch.

India, who open in opposition to Nepal on Monday earlier than going through Sri Lanka and UAE, might run into former champions South Korea within the knockout stage — a conflict that might decide their medal prospects.

Fourteen-time winners China, holders Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and South Korea are anticipated to be the opposite sturdy contenders. Indonesia enter the occasion because the in-form crew, having clinched the Asian Blended Workforce title by defeating China in February. India had narrowly misplaced to Japan within the quarterfinals of that event.

India have up to now received 11 particular person medals on the World Juniors, their greatest exhibiting coming in Pune 2008 with a gold and a bronze. The present contingent, nevertheless, has the potential to surpass that tally.

The nation’s greatest medal hopes lie in women’ singles, which options junior world No.1 and Asian U-19 bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma, Vennala Ok, China Open quarterfinalist Unnati Hooda, and Rakshitha Sree.

“All our 4 women singles gamers are medal contenders and may even win the gold medal. Even our boys can beat any opponent on their day and I’m assured that they’ll excel in house situations,” stated India’s international singles coach Park Tae-Sang.

In boys’ singles, India will financial institution on world No.14 Rounak Chohan and 17-year-old Gnana Dattu TT, whereas the doubles pair of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu — who reached world No.1 earlier this 12 months — will spearhead the hosts’ cost within the paired occasions.

“I’m conscious that India has by no means received a medal within the paired occasions earlier than this however this time we’ve got a formidable line up. These gamers have been enjoying repeatedly on the circuit and that have of coaching at this venue ought to helped them loads,” stated Russian doubles specialist coach Ivan Sozonov.

Spectators may have free entry to the occasion, whereas the semifinals and finals of each the crew and particular person occasions will likely be broadcast reside on DD Sports activities.