Five young Indian prospects in Women’s Singles to keep an eye on!

From Saina-Sindhu to Unnati-Anmol, we have come a long way.

Indian Badminton is on the rise, and so are the young women players from the country. February 2024 saw the Indian women’s team making history with their inaugural Gold win in the Asia Team Championships, under the leadership of P.V. Sindhu. However, this post shifts the focus from the likes of Saina Nehwal and P.V. Sindhu to highlight the emerging generation they’ve inspired.

Here are five promising young Indian female badminton players who are making waves in the sport:

Also, read Who is Tomoka Miyazaki? The 17-year-old from Japan who shocked P.V. Sindhu

Ashmita Chaliha

Hailing from Guwahati, Ashmita made headlines by defeating former World Champion Nozomi Okuhara in the Semi-Finals of the Asia Team Championships. With a current world ranking of 47th and a World Tour ranking of 34th, Ashmita’s talent is undeniable. She clinched the Gold medal at the South Asian Games in 2019 and reached the quarter-finals of the India Open 2022.

Unnati Hooda

Aged just 16, Unnati has already secured a ranking of 56th in the world and 39th in the world tour rankings. Her victories at the Odisha Masters in 2022 and the Abu Dhabi Masters in 2023 showcase her potential, despite recent challenges.

Aditi Bhatt

Aditi displayed her prowess by defeating then World No.13 Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the Uber Cup Final 2021. She was the runner-up at the Mauritius International 2023 and the Polish Open 2022, where she lost to fellow Indian player Anupama Upadhyaya.

Anmol Kharb

Anmol, aged 16 and ranked 472nd in the world, emerged as a hero in the recent Asia Team Championships. She delivered impressive victories against higher-ranked opponents, including World No. 45 Pornpicha Choeikeewong, securing crucial wins for India.

Tanisha Crasto

Born in Dubai in 2003, has made her mark in Indian badminton after shifting her focus to the country. With notable achievements in both junior and senior levels, including victories in super-100 tournaments and being a runner-up at the Syed Modi International 2023, Tanisha continues to rise in the ranks.

These talented players, along with others like Tanvi Sharma, Tanvi Patri, Rakshitha Ramraj, and Tara Shah, represent the future of Indian women’s badminton and are poised to continue the legacy of success on the international stage.