Badminton

The Indian men's doubles badminton duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are aiming to continue their winning streak at the Paris Olympics, despite a setback in their second Group C match. The match against Germany's Marvin Seidel and Mark Lamsfuss was canceled due to Lamsfuss's knee injury, making their third game a must-win.Satwiksairaj and Chirag began their Olympic campaign with a 21-17, 21-14 victory over France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar. They were scheduled to face Seidel and Lamsfuss, ranked 31st in the world and the 2022 European Badminton men's doubles champions. However, Lamsfuss's injury forced the cancellation of the match.As per Badminton World Federation (BWF) regulations, all matches involving Group C, including those played and yet to be played, are now considered deleted. This means that Satwiksairaj and Chirag's next match against the Indonesian pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto on Tuesday becomes crucial.Alfian and Ardianto, formerly ranked number one, are currently ranked seventh in the world. They have won bronze medals at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships and were part of the 2020 Thomas Cup-winning Indonesian team. The Indian duo has a slight edge over the Indonesians, having won three of their five previous encounters.Satwiksairaj and Chirag are considered strong medal contenders for India. They have won two BWF Tour titles this year, the French Open and the Thailand Open. They were also runners-up in the Malaysian Open and India Open. They were part of the Indian team that competed in the Thomas Cup 2024 but lost to China in the quarterfinals.With a peak ranking of number one in men's doubles, several BWF Tour titles, a World Championships bronze medal, and gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Satwiksairaj and Chirag have a proven track record of success. They will be hoping to add an Olympic medal to their impressive collection.

Lakshya Sen's victory over Guatemala's Kevin Cordon in the men's singles Group L match at the Paris Olympics has been nullified due to Cordon's withdrawal from the tournament due to a left elbow injury. As per BWF regulations for group stage play, the match between Lakshya and Cordon has been "deleted."Lakshya's ranking will now be determined by the results of his remaining Group L matches. He will face Julian Carragi on July 29. The decision has sparked controversy among fans, who have criticized it as "unfair" to Lakshya.Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty made a strong start with a 21-17, 21-14 victory over France's Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in Group C. However, Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lost to Republic Korea's Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong in straight games in their group match.PV Sindhu also began her campaign with a dominant straight-game win against Maldives' Fathimath Abdul Razzaq, securing a 21-9, 21-6 victory. Speaking after the match, Sindhu expressed her satisfaction with her performance and emphasized the importance of mental strength in overcoming challenges.

India's HS Prannoy made a triumphant debut at the Olympics, securing a straight-game victory over Fabian Roth of Germany in the men's singles competition. Despite battling chikungunya in the lead-up to the Games, Prannoy showcased remarkable fitness and determination in his 21-18, 21-12 triumph.The 32-year-old from Kerala faced a stern test from Roth, who engaged him in intense rallies. However, Prannoy's superior experience and tactical acumen proved decisive. After trailing 14-11 in the first game, he surged ahead with a flurry of points, converting two game points after Roth's error at the net.In the second game, Prannoy asserted his dominance, finding his range and constructing rallies with precision. His deft touch and attacking shots proved too much for Roth, who struggled to keep pace. Prannoy's net game was particularly impressive, helping him to build a comfortable lead.With eight match points in hand, Prannoy sealed the victory after Roth's wide shot. The Indian shuttler's performance was a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit. He will now face Le Duc Phat of Vietnam in his final group match, aiming to secure a berth in the knockout stage.Prannoy's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian badminton. It is the first time an Indian male shuttler has won a match in the Olympics since 2012. His success is a testament to the growing strength of Indian badminton and the country's potential to excel on the world stage.

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu kicked off her Paris Olympics campaign with a dominant straight-games victory over Maldives' Fathimath Abdul Razzaq in the women's singles group stage match on Sunday.The gulf in class between the two players was evident as Sindhu, aiming for a third Olympic medal, dispatched her lower-ranked opponent 21-9, 21-6 in just 29 minutes.Sindhu, ranked 11th in the world, quickly assessed the conditions and took control of the proceedings, racing to an 11-4 lead in the first game. Razzaq, ranked 111th, proved no match for the former world champion, who wrapped up the first game in a mere 13 minutes.The second game followed a similar pattern, with Sindhu claiming the first four points to take an early lead. Razzaq briefly closed the gap to 3-4, but Sindhu quickly extended her advantage to 10-3.Sindhu had 14 match points, but she needed only one to seal the victory. The 10th-seeded Indian, who won silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020, will face World No. 75 Kristin Kuuba of Estonia in her second group match on Wednesday.Earlier on Saturday, medal contenders Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty also made a winning start in the men's doubles, while singles ace Lakshya Sen got his maiden Olympic campaign underway with a victory. However, the women's doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto lost to South Korea's Kim So Yeong and Kong Hee Yong.

Ace Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen made a resounding start to his Olympic campaign, dispatching reigning Pan American champion Kevin Cordon of Guatemala in straight games in their men's singles badminton group match at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.The 22-year-old Sen, making his Olympic debut, displayed his class and composure to overcome Cordon 21-8 22-20 in a match that lasted 42 minutes. The victory sets the stage for Sen to make a deep run in the tournament, having already established himself as one of the rising stars in the sport.Sen, who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the 2021 World Championships, dominated the first game against Cordon, showcasing his aggressive style of play and precise shot-making. He took the opening game with ease, 21-8.However, Cordon, a veteran of the sport, fought back in the second game, pushing Sen to the limit. The Guatemalan shuttler displayed his resilience and determination, forcing Sen to dig deep and find his best form. Despite Cordon's spirited comeback, Sen held his nerve and emerged victorious, winning the second game 22-20.Sen's victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication, and it bodes well for his chances of success in the tournament. He will face Julien Carraggi of Belgium in his second group match on Monday, and a win there would put him in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.The Indian contingent will be hoping that Sen can continue his impressive form and bring home a medal from the Paris Olympics. His victory over Cordon has certainly raised expectations, and he will be one of the players to watch in the men's singles competition.

Indian Badminton Duo Rankireddy and Shetty Aim for Olympic GloryDefending Asian and Commonwealth Games champions in men's doubles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, embark on their Paris Olympics campaign with high hopes of securing a medal for India. The former World No.1 pair will face the French duo of Lucas Corvee and Ronan Labar in their opening match later today.Rankireddy and Shetty are considered India's top medal prospects in badminton, alongside two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu. Sindhu aims to become the first Indian sportsperson to win medals in three consecutive Olympic Games editions.Long-jumper Murali Sreeshankar believes that Rankireddy and Shetty have the best chance of returning home with a medal. "We hope they can replicate the performances they have delivered over the last couple of years," said Sreeshankar, who is an Olympics Expert for JioCinema. "Satwik and Chirag won a gold medal in men's doubles at the Asian Games, which is much tougher than doing so at the Olympics because, at the Asian Games, you compete against two Chinese teams, whereas, in the Olympics, only the top-16 in world ranking can participate."Sreeshankar emphasized the importance of the Asian Games gold medal in boosting the morale of the Indian pair. "They just need to continue doing what they have been doing and concentrate on the process," he said. "Their track record is so good that if they just focus on the process, I'm sure they will be able to win a medal and be proud of themselves."Rankireddy and Shetty have been in impressive form in recent years, winning the India Open and the Thailand Open in 2023. They also reached the semifinals of the All England Open and the World Championships in 2022.The Indian duo will face stiff competition in Paris, with several top-ranked pairs in the fray. However, their experience and determination will make them a formidable force. If they can maintain their focus and execute their game plan, Rankireddy and Shetty have the potential to create history and bring home an Olympic medal for India.

The 2024 Paris Olympics commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony on Friday, marking the beginning of the quadrennial sporting extravaganza. India has sent a contingent of 117 athletes to the Games, with high hopes of securing a significant medal tally.India's badminton contingent is led by the illustrious PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist. The dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also represent India in the men's doubles category, emerging as strong contenders for the gold medal. India's badminton campaign commences on Saturday.Former Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap has identified Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy as the "dark horses" of the team. This is the first time since 2004 that two Indian men will compete in the Olympics. Kashyap believes that both players possess the potential to cause major upsets."I think Lakshya and Prannoy are one of the dark horses in the draw. Both of them, especially Lakshya, played the All-England final two years back. During the Olympic qualification, he came out of a tough qualification period. He had a couple of first-round losses, but the way he qualified by making it to two semi-finals and getting good wins against top-level opponents... It shows his caliber," Kashyap stated.Kashyap emphasized that both Lakshya and Prannoy have faced adversity and emerged victorious. He highlighted their experience in the Thomas Cup-winning team and their ability to perform in high-pressure matches. "They are capable of anything but are surely the dark horses. They can beat anyone in the draw, be it Li Shi Feng or Victor. I won't say they are the favorites, but they have a huge chance to create upsets and progress in the tournament," he added.PV Sindhu will also be aiming to break her title drought. Kashyap believes that Sindhu, who last won the Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, will be an "underdog" but her opponents will be wary of her credentials. "It's her third Olympics, she won two medals in the last two Olympics and several world championship medals. So I think she feels she has an edge already even though her ranking doesn't say it or her recent form doesn't say it," said Kashyap."In major events, I think the opponents also are a little wary of her even though she's not in form. I think she's going as a dark horse and underdog considering the last two years of women's singles," he added.Catch all the live action from Paris 2024 exclusively on JioCinema & Sports18.

PV Sindhu and Achanta Sharath Kamal will lead India's contingent of 78 athletes and officials at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Friday. The Indian contingent will be part of the Athletes' Parade, which will feature over 10,000 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs).The Indian contingent includes athletes from 12 disciplines, including shooting, badminton, table tennis, rowing, archery, and hockey. However, some athletes, such as rower Balraj Panwar and members of the air rifle and air pistol teams, have been exempted from participating in the Parade due to their competition schedules.India will begin its Olympic campaign on Saturday with competitions in shooting, badminton, table tennis, rowing, archery, and hockey. Athletes from these disciplines who are available will participate in the Parade.Among the prominent athletes who will be part of the Parade are:* Archery: Deepika Kumari and Tarundeep Rai* Badminton: PV Sindhu* Boxing: Lovlina Borgohain* Equestrian: Anush Agarwalla* Golf: Shubhankar Sharma* Hockey: Krishan Pathak, Nilakanta Sharma, and Jugraj Singh* Judo: Tulika Mann* Sailing: Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan* Shooting: Anjum Moudgil, Sift Kaur Samra, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Anish* Swimming: Srihari Nataraj, Dhinidhi Desinghu* Table Tennis: Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra* Tennis: Rohan Bopanna, Sumit Nagal, and Sriram BalajiThe Opening Ceremony will be held along the Seine River, with athlete barges floating down the river starting at the Austerlitz Bridge. The barges will pass under historic bridges and by iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame and the Louvre.

Indian Badminton Contingent Primed for Paris Olympics GloryAs the Paris Olympics draw near, India's badminton contingent is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage. Led by two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, the "super seven" Indian shuttlers are ready to showcase their skills at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.PV Sindhu: Aiming for a Third MedalPV Sindhu, India's most decorated badminton player, carries the weight of expectations as she seeks to add to her Olympic medal tally. Despite recent injuries, Sindhu remains a formidable force, having won the Commonwealth Games title in 2022. She will face a tough test in the pre-quarterfinals against world No. 8 He Bing Jiao of China.Satwik-Chirag: Medal Favorites in Men's DoublesSatwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, known as Satwik-Chirag, are the favorites to earn India a medal in men's doubles. The duo has been in exceptional form, winning multiple titles and reaching the world No. 3 ranking. They will aim to replicate their success from the Tokyo Olympics, where they defeated the eventual champions.Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy: Battling for a Quarterfinal BerthIn men's singles, India will be represented by Lakshya Sen and HS Prannoy. However, only one of them will advance to the quarterfinals due to an unfortunate draw. Prannoy is likely to top his group, while Sen faces a challenging task against world No. 3 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto: Underdogs in Women's DoublesAshwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto will represent India in women's doubles. They face a daunting task in their group, which includes world No. 4 Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida of Japan and 2023 All England champions Kim So-yeong/Kong Hee-yong of South Korea.ConclusionIndia's badminton contingent is ready to make a mark at the Paris Olympics. With a mix of experience and rising stars, the "super seven" shuttlers have the potential to bring home medals and add to India's sporting legacy.