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Sudirman Cup 2025 badminton: India’s squad led by PV Sindhu, schedule, opponents and where to watch

India were drawn into a tough Group D alongside second seeds Indonesia, European powerhouse Denmark and England. The squad has been significantly weakened too because of withdrawals. Here are the details:

India's Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu (seen here during Syed Modi India Badminton Championship in November 2024) will headline the India Open 2025 next week. (PHOTO Courtesy: UP Badminton Association)

File image of India's Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu. (PHOTO Courtesy: UP Badminton Association)

The BWF Sudirman Cup Finals is the name given to the World Mixed Team Championships. The event takes place once every two years, alternating with the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals – which are the World Men’s and Women’s Team Championships respectively. The Sudirman Cup is often considered the pinnacle of a country’s badminton depth, as it tests the depth across all five categories. Each tie in the Sudirman Cup Finals (named so because only the best teams in the world can qualify for the event) will consist of men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Where’s the 2025 Sudirman Cup being held?

As has been the case recently, it is China hosting another major BWF event. This time it is Xiamen starting from 27 April to 4 May. Hosts China are the defending champions as well, and by some distance the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won it a whopping 13 times, South Korea have won it four times, while Indonesia won the inaugural edition.

What’s the format?

The 16 teams are divided into four groups, with top seeds China placed in Group A and second seeds Indonesia in Group D. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout rounds, for which a draw will be conducted once more. Semifinalists will be assured a place on the podium.

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Also read: | India may be struggling in badminton singles, but there’s strength and depth in doubles at last

How’s India’s group?

Tricky. India were drawn into Group D alongside second seeds Indonesia, European powerhouse Denmark and a tricky England unit. The squad has been significantly weakened too, by the injury-enforced absences of top doubles pairs Satwik-Chirag and Treesa-Gayatri. But, on the flip side, Indonesia and Denmark too are hit by withdrawals, so it could be still be a close shootout for the top two.

What’s India’s squad?

Men: Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, Hariharan Amsakarunan, Ruban Kumar R., Dhruv Kapila, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran
Women: PV Sindhu, Anupama Upadhyaya, Tanisha Crasto, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Aadya Variyat