“I Don’t See That We Shouldn’t Play With Youngsters”: PV Sindhu on India’s Rising Shuttlers

New Delhi, Jan 13: As Indian badminton enters a phase defined by depth and transition, former world champion and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has strongly endorsed closer interaction between seniors

and youngsters, insisting that shared court time is essential for the sport's growth.

Speaking ahead of the India Open 2026, Sindhu said she sees no reason for a generational divide, stressing that young players bring fresh skills that benefit everyone.

"I don't see that we shouldn't play with the youngsters," Sindhu said while interacting with media persons on Monday (January 11). "They also have new strokes and new skills. Maybe they might be juniors, but they can be very talented and deceptive players as well. " According to the 30-year-old ace Indian shuttler, training alongside younger athletes keeps senior players alert while giving juniors invaluable exposure to intensity, discipline and match awareness.

Sindhu's views are rooted in her own recent experiences. Despite returning from injury only weeks earlier, she chose to participate in the team event quarterfinals at the National Championships, determined to contribute to her side. She also closely followed the women's singles matches, watching several encounters point by point and praising the competitive edge shown by emerging players.

The women's singles final at the Nationals, in particular, caught Sindhu's attention. Surya Charishma Tamiri's three-game win over teenage prodigy Tanvi Patri left a strong impression, prompting Sindhu to publicly appreciate both players for their temperament and shot-making. "There have been some amazing matches," she said. "It's always good to see the youngsters coming up. " She added that India now boasts multiple young women pushing into higher rankings, reflecting a healthy pipeline in women's singles.

Those sentiments have found immediate relevance at the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2026, where late withdrawals by top international players have opened the door for Indian youngsters to step onto the Super 750 stage.

World Junior Championships silver medallist Tanvi Sharma has been promoted to the women's singles main draw and will make her India Open debut against second seed Wang Zhi Yi. If the 16-year-old can pull off an upset, a potential second-round meeting with Sindhu herself now looms.

In men's singles, Tharun Mannepalli has also been elevated from the reserve list, resulting in two all-India first-round clashes. Lakshya Sen will face Ayush Shetty, while Tharun is set to take on Kidambi Srikanth. In women's doubles, national champions Ashwini Bhat K and Shikha Gautam have also been drafted into the main draw, further strengthening India's presence across categories.

For Sindhu, such opportunities are exactly what young players need. "It's really good to play with them, get to know them and also guide them at times," she said, explaining that learning flows both ways on court. Training with juniors like Tanvi and Malavika in recent sessions, she noted, helps seniors adapt to evolving styles while allowing youngsters to absorb experience without intimidation.

As Indian badminton prepares for a landmark year that includes the World Championships on home soil followed by the Asian Games in Nagoya (Japan), Sindhu's message is clear: progress depends on shared spaces, not silos. With youngsters earning main-draw opportunities at elite events and seniors willing to engage, guide and compete alongside them, the bridge between generations appears stronger than ever.