Thailand: Indian badminton woke up to a new headline-maker on Sunday. Devika Sihag delivered a statement performance at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2026, lifting the women’s singles title and writing her name into an elite list previously occupied only by Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu.
Panchkula’s Devika Sihag announced her arrival on the global stage by winning the women’s singles gold at the Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2026 in Patumwan, Thailand. With the triumph, the 20-year-old became only the third Indian woman—after Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu—to claim a BWF World Tour Super 300 title.
Devika capped a sensational week with her maiden BWF title and Indian badminton’s first trophy of the 2026 season. Ranked 63 in the world, she produced a flawless run, not dropping a single game while defeating three seeded players en route to the final—an extraordinary achievement in her first Super 300 appearance.
Soft-spoken off the court but fearless on it, Devika’s attacking style and mental composure stood out throughout the tournament. Her best result before this was a runner-up finish at a Super 100 event in 2024, where she lost to former world champion Nozomi Okuhara. A two-time Challenger winner and the 2024 national champion, Devika’s Super 300 breakthrough marks a significant leap in her young career.
Indian badminton has long been defined by the towering legacies of Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, with few clear successors emerging. Devika’s entry into this elite club offers a breath of fresh air and renewed optimism for the sport in India.
Currently training alongside Sindhu at the Centre for Badminton Excellence (CBE) in Bengaluru—formerly the Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy—Devika also began working with Sindhu’s Indonesian coach, Irwansyah Adi Pratama, around six months ago.
According to CBE head coach Sagar Chopda, the coaching change proved pivotal.
“Every player needs a shift to avoid stagnation. Coach Irwansyah’s positivity and approach have really helped Devika,” Sagar told ESPN India, adding that her consistency and aggression were key to her title run.
In Sunday’s final, Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei retired injured while trailing 21-8, 6-3, but Devika had already proved her credentials earlier in the week. In the semifinals, she staged a remarkable comeback against world No. 35 Huang Yu-Hsun, saving five game points to win the opening game 22-20. She then overcame top seed and home favourite Supanida Katethong in the quarterfinals, showing tactical maturity against a tricky southpaw opponent.
Coach Sayali Gokhale, who accompanied Devika in Thailand, praised her temperament. “She has been consistent, patient and composed throughout the tournament. The way she handled pressure was impressive,” she said.
Devika herself remained measured after her maiden title. “I focused on giving my 100 percent without thinking about winning or losing. That helped me play freely and with confidence,” said the Haryana shuttler, whose disciplined approach is shaped by her family background—her father is a lawyer and her mother a teacher.
Despite the milestone, there is little time for celebration. Devika will head straight to Azerbaijan for a Challenger event, underlining her hunger and professionalism. With this win, she is set to break into the world’s top 40, opening doors to bigger tournaments and tougher challenges.
These are early days, but Indian badminton can savour a special moment—the rise of a young talent who has the skill, mindset and humility to follow in illustrious footsteps.
Source: ESPN
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