New Delhi: India’s badminton hopes soar as World Championship medalists Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth spearhead the country’s challenge at the Arctic Open 2025, kicking off in Vantaa, Finland, from Tuesday.
Lakshya Sen Eyes Redemption at BWF Super 500
Paris 2024 Olympic semifinalist Lakshya Sen is determined to make a mark in the BWF Super 500 tournament. Fresh off his first final of the year in Hong Kong last month, Sen will aim to go one step further this time.
Despite a rocky patch at the China Masters, where he suffered his ninth first-round exit of the year, Sen remains a strong contender on the world stage.
Veteran Kidambi Srikanth Returns to Form
Joining Sen in the men’s singles draw is Kidambi Srikanth, former world number one. Srikanth has shown flashes of his best during a semifinal run at the Al Ain Masters last week and earlier reached the Malaysia Masters final in May.
Alongside them, five other Indian men, including Ayush Shetty, Tharun Mannepalli, Kiran George, and S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian, will battle for glory.
Ayush Shetty, the sole Indian BWF World Tour title-winner this year with his US Open triumph in June, will face Paris 2024 silver medalist Kunlavut Vitidsarn in his opening match.
Note: Asian Games men’s doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have withdrawn from the tournament.
Women’s Singles: Youth Takes the Stage
In the absence of two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, India will rely on promising young talents Tanya Hemanth and Anmol Kharb to lead the women’s singles campaign. Qualifier Kavipriya Selvam will also compete for a breakthrough performance.
Mixed Doubles: Olympians in Action
India’s mixed doubles challenge will be led by Tanisha Crasto, a Paris 2024 Olympian, paired with Dhruv Kapila. The Jaglan siblings, Mohit and Lakshita Jaglan, also feature in the draw, looking to make an impact.
Historic Quest: First Arctic Open Title for India
No Indian shuttler has ever lifted the Arctic Open trophy, making this edition a landmark opportunity for the squad to carve their names into the tournament’s history.
Indian Squad at Arctic Open 2025
• Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, Tharun Mannepalli, Kiran George, S Sankar Muthusamy Subramanian
• Women’s Singles: Tanya Hemanth, Anmol Kharb;
Qualifier: Kavipriya Selvam
• Women’s Doubles: Kavipriya Selvam / Simran Singhi
• Mixed Doubles: Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto, Mohit Jaglan / Lakshita Jaglan
