New Delhi: Fifty days from now, the world’s best badminton players will walk into the Indira Gandhi (IG) Indoor Stadium in New Delhi for the BWF World Championships from August 17-23, returning to Indian soil for the first time since Hyderabad hosted the event in 2009. For badminton in the country, this is much more than just another big tournament. It is a celebration of an extraordinary journey.Seventeen years ago, when Hyderabad hosted the World Cup, Indian badminton mostly revolved around one name – Saina Nehwal. Olympic medals were still a dream, world titles seemed distant even to a 14-year-old PV Sindhu he trained quietly at the Pullela Gopichand Academy.Few could have predicted the transformation that would follow.The breakthrough came in 2011 when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won bronze in the women’s doubles, ending India’s 28-year wait for a world medal. It was a result that changed the perception and heralded the arrival of a new force in world badminton.Then the milestones followed quickly. Saina became India’s first World Cup silver medalist and the country’s first women’s world number one. Sindhu took Indian badminton to another overall level, winning five world medals before creating history in Basel 2019 as the country’s first world champion.But India’s rise was no longer about one or two stars.Kidambi Srikanth reached world No. 1, Lakshya Sen won world bronze, HS Prannoy joined the podium in 2023, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty emerged as one of the world’s best men’s pairs. The crowning achievement came in 2022 when India won the Thomas Cup, becoming only the sixth nation to win the prestigious title.The numbers tell the story of this transformation: since 2011, India have won 14 world medals and finished on the podium at every edition until 2025 – a remarkable 11-medal streak.For Sindhu, the return of the worlds to India has a special meaning. “Some of my most memorable moments and proudest achievements have come on this stage,” she told TOI. “Hosting the World Cup after 17 years is a significant moment and a reflection of how much sport has progressed in our country.”Sen believes that competing at home brings a different energy. “Indian badminton has grown tremendously over the years and hosting the World Championship after 17 years is a proud moment for everyone associated with the sport,” he told this publication. For young Ayush Shetty, who is set to make his World Cup debut, this opportunity is a dream come true. “Growing up, the World Cup was one of the tournaments I always looked forward to watching. Like every young badminton player, I dreamed of one day getting the chance to compete on that stage. To make my debut at the World Cup, when India is hosting the tournament after 17 years, is incredibly special,” he said.Ponnappa, who featured in the 2009 edition and later became part of India’s historic bronze medal breakthrough in 2011, sees the event as a reflection of the evolution of the sport. “Badminton in India has grown by leaps and bounds since then. It is a great opportunity for our players and a special opportunity for the fans to watch the world’s best competition at home,” she said.Prannoy, who vividly remembers watching the stars of the match in Hyderabad in 2009, hopes New Delhi will inspire another generation. “I’m sure this year’s World Cup will give young players the same amazing experience and make many of them dream of playing the sport,” he said.BY THE NUMBERS— 14World Cup medals won by India (2011–2025)— 11Consecutive editions with at least one Indian medal (2011 – 2025)— 1World championPV Sindhu (2019) – India’s first and only world champion.— 3No. 1 Indian in the worldSaina Nehwal (Women’s Singles)Kidambi Srikanth (Men’s Singles)Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Men’s Doubles)— in 2011A landmark year for Indian badmintonJwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won bronze in the women’s doubles, ending India’s 28-year wait for a World Championship medal.— 18 YEARS OLDSindhu became India’s youngest medalist at the World Championships(Bronze, 2013)— 31 YEARS OLDHS Prannoy became India’s oldest World Cup medalist(Bronze, 2023)— 17 YEARS OLDThe World Cup is returning to India after a 17-year waitFrom Hyderabad 2009 to New Delhi 2026
