Bhubaneswar: Guwahati is buzzing with excitement as the BWFWorld Junior Championships 2025 return to India after 17 long years. From October 6 to 19, the National Centre of Excellence in Assam will be the stage where the country’s brightest young shuttlers hope to script history on home turf.
The Stage Is Set
The championship begins with the Suhandinata Cup (mixed team event) from October 6 to 11, followed by the individual Eye-Level Cup matches. India has been placed in Group H alongside Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the UAE and enters the competition as the second seed — a sign of the growing strength of its junior program.
A new scoring format has been introduced this year — a best-of-three relay scoring system where each set is a race to 45 points across five matches. Teams can also substitute players between sets, adding a tactical twist that could make or break ties.
India’s Ambitious Line-Up
This year’s Indian squad is one of the most balanced in recent memory, featuring a mix of experience and young firepower.
Leading the pack is Tanvi Sharma, the current world No. 1 in girls’ singles, who has consistently impressed on the junior circuit. Unnati Hooda, already a familiar name at senior events, brings experience and composure beyond her age.
In the doubles category, the pair of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu, once ranked world No. 1 in juniors, will carry India’s hopes. Meanwhile, Rounak Chouhan, known for his attacking flair, remains the country’s top prospect in the boys’ singles.
India has so far won 11 individual medals at the World Juniors, with their best performance coming in 2008 in Pune — the last time the event was held in the country.
Strong Start and Smart Rotation
India kicked off its mixed team campaign in style, defeating Nepal convincingly in straight sets (45–18, 45–17). The coaching staff used the match to test different combinations and give exposure to several players.
Unnati Hooda later remarked that the new format “demands alertness right from the first rally,” highlighting how short sets leave no room for slow starts.
India now faces Sri Lanka and the UAE next, both must-win ties that could seal a top spot in the group and a favorable draw in the knockout rounds.
The Road Ahead
India’s strongest medal chances lie in the girls’ singles event, where Tanvi, Unnati, and Rakshitha Sree are all capable of deep runs. However, a medal in the doubles category would be historic — India has never reached the podium in paired events at this championship.
The home crowd, the new format, and a talented lineup give India every reason to believe that this could finally be their breakthrough edition. But with traditional powerhouses like China, Japan, and Indonesia in the mix, consistency and composure will be key.
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