In a cricket-mad nation, India's shuttle warriors have built a legacy that rivals the roar of any stadium
August in India isn’t just about flags fluttering in the monsoon breeze. It's a time when we reflect-not only on our hard-won freedom but also on the many ways we’ve raised the tricolour high on the global stage.
In a nation where cricket often dominates the front pages, badminton has quietly crafted its own story of triumph. From the revered courts of Wembley to the vibrant atmosphere of Bangkok, Indian shuttlers have rewritten the country's sporting history, one smash and drop shot at a time.
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On March 23, 1980, a young Prakash Padukone stepped onto the court at Wembley Stadium and made history. Facing Indonesia's Liem Swie King in the All England Open final, he defeated his opponent 15-3, 15-10, without losing a single game throughout the tournament.
At 24, Padukone became the first Indian to win the sport's most prestigious title, a feat that would inspire generations to dream beyond domestic courts.
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Two decades later, another Indian would follow Padukone's pioneering path. On March 11, 2001, Pullela Gopichand amazed the badminton world by defeating Chen Hong 15-12, 15-6 to win the All England Open.
It was only India's second title at the tournament, yet it confirmed that the country's earlier success was no fluke. Gopichand's victory wasn't just about the trophy-it laid the groundwork for an academy that would later produce some of India's greatest champions.
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Fast-forward to the 2010s, and Olympic dreams began to take flight. London 2012 marked a significant milestone for Indian badminton when Saina Nehwal secured a bronze medal, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in the sport.
Four years later in Rio, PV Sindhu claimed silver after a tense final, and in Tokyo 2021, she earned a bronze-making her the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals in any sport. Sindhu’s accomplishments also include a historic 2019 World Championship title, solidifying her status as a global icon.
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In 2017, Kidambi Srikanth became the first Indian—and only the fifth male player in history—to win four Super Series titles in a single year.
This remarkable achievement propelled him to the World No.1 ranking in April 2018, making him only the second Indian man, after Padukone, to reach that status. His success signalled a new era where Indian men’s singles players could dominate world badminton week after week.
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The 2021 World Championships saw Srikanth win India’s first men’s singles silver, while 20-year-old Lakshya Sen secured bronze, becoming the youngest Indian male medallist at the event.
For a country still developing depth in men’s badminton, this double podium finish was a clear sign of strength to come.
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The highlight came in May 2022 when India’s men stunned 14-time champions Indonesia 3-0 to win their first Thomas Cup.
Lakshya Sen defeated Olympic bronze medallist Anthony Ginting; Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty narrowly beat the world’s top doubles pair, and Srikanth sealed the victory with a straight-sets win over Jonatan Christie. India became only the sixth nation to lift the prestigious team trophy—proof that their dominance was no longer limited to individual brilliance.
