New Delhi: Fifty days from now, the world’s finest badminton players will walk into New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi (IG) indoor stadium for the BWF World Championships from Aug 17-23, returning to Indian soil for the first time since Hyderabad hosted the event in 2009. For the country’s badminton, this is far more than another major tournament. It is a celebration of a remarkable journey.Seventeen years ago, when Hyderabad staged the Worlds, Indian badminton largely revolved around one name – Saina Nehwal. Olympic medals were still a dream, world titles seemed distant and a 14-year-old PV Sindhu was quietly training 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 women’s doubles bronze, ending India’s 28-year wait for a Worlds medal. It was a result that changed perceptions and signalled the arrival of a new force in world badminton.Then came the milestones in quick succession. Saina became India’s first Worlds silver medallist and the country’s first women’s World No. 1. Sindhu elevated Indian badminton to another level altogether, winning five Worlds medals before creating history in Basel in 2019 as the nation’s first world champion.But India’s rise was no longer about one or two stars.Kidambi Srikanth reached World No. 1, Lakshya Sen claimed Worlds bronze, HS Prannoy joined the podium in 2023, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty emerged as one of the world’s premier men’s doubles pairs. The crowning achievement came in 2022 when India lifted the Thomas Cup, becoming only the sixth nation to win the prestigious title.The numbers tell the story of this transformation: since 2011, India has won 14 Worlds medals and has finished on the podium at every edition through 2025 – an extraordinary 11-edition medal streak.For Sindhu, the return of the Worlds to India carries special meaning. “Some of my most memorable moments and proudest achievements have come on this stage,” she told TOI. “Hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a landmark moment and a reflection of how far the sport has come in our country.”Sen believes competing at home brings a different energy. “Indian badminton has grown tremendously over the years and hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a proud moment for everyone associated with the sport,” he told this publication.For youngster Ayush Shetty, set to make his Worlds debut, the occasion is a dream come true. “Growing up, the Worlds was one of the tournaments I always looked forward to watching. Like every young badminton player, I dreamt of one day earning the chance to compete on that stage. To make my debut at the Worlds, and to do so when India is hosting the event 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 sport’s evolution. “Badminton in India has grown leaps and bounds since then. It is a massive opportunity for our players and a special occasion for fans to watch the world’s best compete at home,” she said.Prannoy, who vividly remembers watching the stars of the game in Hyderabad in 2009, hopes New Delhi inspires another generation. “I am sure this year’s Worlds will give young players that same incredible experience and make many of them dream of taking up the sport,” he said.BY THE NUMBERS— 14World Championships 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.— 3Indian World No. 1sSaina Nehwal (Women’s Singles)Kidambi Srikanth (Men’s Singles)Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Men’s Doubles)— 2011A landmark year for Indian badmintonJwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won women’s doubles bronze, ending India’s 28-year wait for a World Championships medal.— 18 YEARSSindhu became India’s youngest World Championships medallist(Bronze, 2013)— 31 YEARSHS Prannoy became India’s oldest first-time World Championships medallist(Bronze, 2023)–17 YEARSThe World Championships return to India after a 17-year waitFrom Hyderabad 2009 to New Delhi 2026
