Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu is set to lead India's challenge at the prestigious 2025 All England Open Badminton Championships, beginning in Birmingham on Tuesday. Sindhu, currently ranked 15th in the world, will be returning to the court for the first time since her last appearance at the Indonesia Masters in January. The All England Open, one of the most celebrated events in badminton’s history, will mark a crucial comeback for the Indian shuttler as she aims to reclaim her dominance on the court. Joining Sindhu in the women’s singles category is Malvika Bansod, ranked 28th in the world. Bansod will look to make a strong impact alongside Sindhu as they represent India in one of the toughest competitions on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour calendar.

In the men’s singles category, Lakshya Sen — India’s top-ranked player at world number 10 — will spearhead the nation's hopes. Lakshya has shown consistent form in recent international tournaments and will aim to improve on his strong performances in previous editions of the All England Open. He made it to the semifinals of last year’s tournament, where he lost to eventual champion Jonatan Christie. Additionally, Lakshya was the runner-up at the All England Championships two years ago, a testament to his rising stature in international badminton. Interestingly, Lakshya could face fellow Indian shuttler HS Prannoy, ranked 30th, in the quarterfinal stage if both players advance through the early rounds. Prannoy’s aggressive playing style combined with his experience makes him a strong contender for a deep run in the tournament.
 

In the men’s doubles competition, the dynamic duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, ranked seventh in the world, will mark their return to competitive action. The pair has not played since the Indonesia Masters in January but will be eager to regain momentum at this prestigious event. Satwik and Chirag’s impressive record in major tournaments makes them one of the biggest medal hopes for India. In the women’s doubles category, the talented pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand — who have reached the semifinals twice before at the All England Open — will aim to break into the finals this time. Alongside them, Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa will add further strength to India’s doubles campaign. The duo of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will also compete, bringing additional depth to the Indian squad. The mixed doubles category will witness Indian participation with multiple pairs in contention. Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde, Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath, and Dhruv Kapila paired with Tanisha Crasto will carry India's hopes in this highly competitive segment.
 

The All England Open holds immense historical significance for Indian badminton. Only two Indian players have won the prestigious title in singles — Prakash Padukone in 1980 and Pullela Gopichand in 2001. This legacy continues to inspire India’s emerging badminton stars, who aim to follow in their footsteps. The 2025 All England Open is set to be a high-stakes tournament as India’s top shuttlers look to showcase their skills on one of badminton’s biggest stages. With PV Sindhu’s much-anticipated return, Lakshya Sen’s determination to excel, and strong doubles combinations ready to challenge the best, Indian badminton fans are eagerly awaiting a memorable performance in Birmingham.