P.V. Sindhu to Saina Nehwal: India’s Top 10 Badminton Players Ranked
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
1. P.V. Sindhu - Two-time Olympic Medalist
P.V. Sindhu is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished badminton players not only in India’s history but globally as well. Born on July 5, 1995, she became the first Indian to win a World Championship, doing so in 2019. Sindhu has also clinched multiple medals at the BWF World Championships, but arguably, her greatest achievements are winning two Olympic medals, a silver in 2016 and a bronze in 2021. Her dominance on the court has also earned several local honours, including the Padma Bushan, Padma Shri, and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, making her a household name and an icon for up-and-coming shuttlers across India.
2. Saina Nehwal - First Indian Woman World No. 1
Saina Nehwal, born March 17, 1990, made history by becoming the first Indian woman to achieve the world number one ranking in 2015. A bronze medalist at the London Olympics in 2012, Nehwal has consistently performed at the highest level, bagging numerous titles, including multiple Commonwealth Games golds. She also became the first Indian woman to win a BWF Super Series title.
3. Kidambi Srikanth - World No. 1 ranking in 2018
Kidambi Srikanth is another trailblazer in Indian badminton and achieved the world number 1 ranking in 2018. Born February 7, 1993, he has earned multiple Super Series titles, including the prestigious China Open in 2014, but he made history in 2021 by becoming the first Indian male to reach the final of the World Championships. Srikanth’s victories in the Indonesia and Australian Opens in 2017 further cement his place among India’s badminton elite.
4. Sai Praneeth - Bronze Medalist BWF World Championships
Sai Praneeth, born August 10, 1992, etched his name in the history books by winning a bronze medal at the 2019 BWF World Championships, becoming the first Indian male to do so since the legendary Prakash Padukone. Known for his technical ability and calm demeanor, Praneeth’s victory at the 2016 Canada Open was another milestone in his career, and despite facing several setbacks, he has remained a consistent performer in major international tournaments on the world stage.
5. Ashwini Ponnappa - Commonwealth Games Champion
Ashwini Ponnappa was born on September 18, 1989, and is renowned for her achievements in women’s and mixed doubles badminton. Partnering with Jwala Gutta, Ponnappa won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, marking India’s first-ever win at the event. She also earned a bronze at the 2011 BWF World Champs, again alongside Gutta. Her consistent performances on the international circuit, including wins at the Canada Open and her significant contributions at the Commonwealth Games, have made her one of the country’s finest doubles players.
6. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy - World No. 1 (Doubles)
One of the younger players to make our list is 24-year-old Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who has brought Indian men’s doubles to the forefront of world badminton. Partnering with Chirag Shetty, he made history by becoming part of the first Indian doubles pair to reach the world number one ranking. The pair won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games, while Rankireddy also notched victories at the Indonesia and Swiss Opens.
7. Chirag Shetty - World No. 1 (Doubles)
Given Rankireddy featuring on our list, it should come as no surprise that his partner in crime, Chirag Shetty, takes up the number seven spot. Shetty, along with his partner, also claimed a historic gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, while on his own, he secured victory at the BWF World Tour, Thailand Open and French Open. His partnership with Rankireddy has been instrumental in India’s historic Thomas Cup victory, marking a golden era for Indian badminton.
Honourable Mentions: Ranks 7 to 10 (Past Players)
Prakash Padukone - India’s first badminton star
Arguably India’s first star to make a significant mark on the world stage is Prakash Padukone, who became the world number 1 player in 1980 and went on to win the coveted All England Open Badminton Championship in the same year. Padukone has also won at the Commonwealth Games and several international tournaments, and his influence on Indian badminton continues through his academy to this day.
Pullela Gopichand - All England Open Badminton Champion
Born in 1973, Pullela Gopichand is not only a former player but now a legendary coach. Gopichand won the All England Open Badminton Championships in 2001, following in the footsteps of Padukone, and has become a prominent figure in Indian badminton by establishing the Gopichand Badminton Academy, where he has mentored numerous top players. His contributions to sports have earned him the Padma Bhushan, Dronacharya Award, and several other honours.
Parupalli Kashyap - Commonwealth Games Champion
Hailing from Guntur, Parupalli Kashyap was a breakthrough player for India in the men’s singles category, having made history at the 2012 London Olympics by becoming the first Indian male player to reach the quarter-final in badminton. He also clinched gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and despite battling with asthma, Kashyap has remained resilient and contributed to India’s success in several international tournaments.
