Paris 2024: PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag’s Badminton dreams end in disappointment

In the Paris Olympics, India’s badminton hopes have taken a hit. PV Sindhu and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty, two of India’s top players, have been eliminated.

On Thursday, PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, lost to China’s He Bing Jiao in the women’s singles round of 16. Sindhu had hoped to win a medal at these games but will leave Paris without one. After the match, she walked away from the court with a heavy heart, acknowledging her defeat.

In men’s doubles, Satwik and Chirag lost to Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik in the quarter-finals. They had been favorites to win, but their performance faltered, and they were knocked out after losing 21-13, 14-21, 16-21.

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Lakshya Sen's chance

The only remaining Indian in the badminton draw is Lakshya Sen. He secured his spot in the men’s singles quarter-finals by defeating HS Prannoy with scores of 21-12, 21-6. Sen will now carry India’s hopes forward in the tournament.

Sindhu and the men’s doubles pair were expected to perform well, but their early exits have left the badminton team’s prospects uncertain. Despite the setbacks, Lakshya Sen’s progress offers a glimmer of hope for Indian badminton at the Paris Olympics.