Heartbreak Continues as World No. 31 Drops Shock Update Hours Before Badminton Asia Championships

Originally posted on AceBadmintonCommunity
By Chitrak Mukherjee | Last updated Apr 6, 2026 6:01 PM ET

India’s Badminton Asia Championships campaign has taken another hit, and this one comes right after the last one. The women’s doubles team of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela has dropped out of the tournament, which makes the country’s chances in the doubles events even worse.

The news comes just a few hours after men’s doubles stars Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty pulled out because Satwik injured his shoulder. India’s doubles campaign has already taken a significant hit before the matches even begin in Ningbo, China, as two of their top pairs are out.

It’s not clear why Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela dropped out. However, multiple reports have confirmed that the pair will not take part in the continental event. India’s team loses another strong medal contender because they aren’t there.

Breaking
Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela have withdrawn from the Badminton Asia Championships pic.twitter.com/HzQe3ut2FF
— Just Badminton (@BadmintonJust) April 6, 2026

The Badminton Asia Championships, which will be held from April 7 to 12, is one of the toughest events of the year. India had hoped to make a big push in every area. But injuries and people quitting have forced us to change our plans quickly.

Singles are now the main focus because the most important doubles players are out. Lakshya Sen and P. V. Sindhu will now lead India’s attack.

All Eyes On PV Sindhu and Lakhsya Sen

India’s singles players now have the most important job since the focus has shifted. Lakshya Sen is in great shape going into the tournament, and in the first roun,d he will face Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, who will be a tough opponent right away.

P.V. Sindhu will start her campaign against Wong Ling Ching from Malaysia, and she will use her experience to move forward with confidence.

India’s men’s singles lineup also features H. S. Prannoy, who is coming back from a shoulder injury and starts his campaign against a qualifier. Kidambi Srikanth is also going to fight Loh Kean Yew in a big match.

India’s path has become harder because a few important people have dropped out. But there is still a chance in the singles events.

This article first appeared on AceBadmintonCommunity and was syndicated with permission.

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