India's stars at the Australian Badminton Open 2026: Sydney, you should not miss it
- Anika Kapoor
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Indian Badminton's Biggest Names Are Coming to Sydney, and you should not miss it.
The Sathio Group Australian Badminton Open 2026 returns to Sydney from 9–14 June 2026, bringing some of the world's best badminton talent to the Quaycentre at Sydney Olympic Park.
As a BWF World Tour Super 500 event, the tournament attracts Olympic medalists, world champions, and rising stars from across the globe. For the Indian community in Australia, this year's tournament offers something even more special, a chance to watch some of India's biggest badminton names compete live on Australian soil.
From Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and Indonesia Open Super 1000 Quarterfinalists, MR Arjun, and Hariharan Amsakarunan, to emerging stars like Malvika Bansod, Tanvi Sharma, and Tharun Mannepalli, India's contingent arrives in Sydney carrying momentum, confidence, and genuine desire to win that title.
Why the Australian Open Matters?
Since its beginning in 1975, the Australian Open has been Oceania's premier badminton tournament. This year's edition marks the 35th staging of the event and is also one of the stops on the 2026 BWF World Tour. That means the stakes extend well beyond this tournament. Ranking points scored here contribute directly to qualification pathways for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, while players also prepare themselves up for the upcoming BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games later this year.
The tournament begins with qualifying rounds before progressing through the main draw, quarterfinals, semi-finals, and Sunday's final matches. For fans, it is a rare opportunity to watch world-class badminton from courtside seats, where every rally, dive, and smash unfolds just metres away.
India's New Generation Arrives
Indian badminton has never been deeper. The foundations laid by pioneers such as PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the celebrated doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have created a pathway for a new generation of talent now beginning to make their mark on the international stage.
Sydney will provide one of the first opportunities for Australian audiences to witness that next wave in action.
Men’s Doubles
Arjun and Hariharan: The Underdogs Turning Heads
Until last week, MR Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan were names familiar only to dedicated fans of Indian badminton. That changed at the Indonesia Open Super 1000, where the pair produced one of the biggest breakthroughs of their careers. Competing against some of the world's best doubles pairs, they announced themselves on the international stage with a remarkable quarter-final run. The duo were also members of India's Thomas Cup bronze medal-winning squad earlier this year, further strengthening their position on the global stage.
They arrive in Sydney with confidence, momentum, and the belief that they belong among the world's best. Though Indian fans will miss seeing the iconic Satwik-Chirag partnership in action, Arjun and Hariharan will lead India's challenge in men’s double, with Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Pochana Arjun Reddy also representing the nation in the category.
*Arjun and Hariharan are now seeded after withdrawal from seeded pairs.
Women’s Singles
PV Sindhu: A Champion Reclaiming Her Best
For many Indian Australians, PV Sindhu needs little introduction. Her silver medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 inspired a generation of badminton fans, while her bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 showed her place among India's greatest athletes.
Sindhu remains the first and only Indian badminton player to win world championships and also one amongst the few Indian athletes to win multiple Olympic medals.
Recent months though have presented challenges for her, including injuries and fluctuating form. Yet the signs are encouraging. Strong performances over the past three tournaments have moved her back to where she belongs, into the world's top 10 for the first time in more than two years. The aggressive, attacking Sindhu that fans remember appears to be back. Entering Sydney at 3rd seeded, she could prove one of the most dangerous players in the women's draw.
Malvika Bansod and Tanvi Sharma- Future of Indian Women’s Singles
While much of the attention will understandably be on PV Sindhu, India's women's singles challenge in Sydney runs deeper than one player.
Malvika Bansod arrives as one of India's most accomplished active women's singles players. Known for her consistency and ability to trouble higher-ranked opponents, she has steadily established herself on the international circuit and will be looking to make a mark at one of the biggest tournaments on the Australian calendar.
Alongside her is 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma, one of the brightest young talents in Indian badminton. Fearless, ambitious and rapidly rising through the ranks, Tanvi represents the next generation of Indian women's singles. For a player at the beginning of her international journey, competing against some of the world's best in Sydney offers a valuable opportunity to gain experience and announce herself on another major stage.
Together, Malvika Bansod and Tanvi Sharma along with likes of Aakarshi Kashyap, Isharani Baruah, and Tanya Hemanth reflect where Indian women’s singles stand today. A sport built on the legacy of champions like PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal but increasingly being supported by a new generation ready to carry that success forward.
Men’s Singles
India's Men's Singles will feature Tharun Mannepalli and Kiran George following the withdrawal of seeded player Ayush Shetty and also the legend, HS Prannoy. Kiran George gained recognition in the 2023 Thailand Open BWF Super 500 by giving a big upset to then World No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China. Meanwhile, the emerging Indian talent Tharun Mannepalli achieved the most significant win of his career by defeating the top seed Cheuk Yiu Lee in an exciting Round of 16 match at the Macau Open 2025.
Along with Kiran and Tharun in the main draw, Saneeth Dayanand and Manraj Singh would be playing the qualifiers, with the chance to secure a spot in the main draw.
The Australian Open 2026 presents an exciting opportunity for these young talents to gain competitive experience, build confidence, and secure points as they prepare for future tournaments.
India's Mixed Doubles Hope
Mixed doubles remain one of the most exciting disciplines in world badminton, and India will be represented by Druv Rawat-Maneesha K. and Mohit Jaglan-Lakshita Jaglan, after world No. 23, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, have withdrawn from the tournament.
More Than Just a Tournament
Indian badminton is entering a new era. PV Sindhu's legacy is secure, while Lakshya Sen continues to show his excellence, and India's doubles duo has already reshaped expectations.
Though the absence of defending champion Lakshya Sen will undoubtedly be felt by Indian fans in Sydney, after he delivered one of the standout performances at the 2025 Australian Open. However, it also opens the door for emerging talents such as Tharun Mannepalli make their mark and continue India's strong recent record in men's singles. Players like him along with Arjun-Hariharan represent a future that looks brighter than ever.
For the Indian diaspora in Sydney, the Australian Open offers the rare chance to support these athletes in person as they pursue ranking points, titles, and international recognition.
Check the complete draw at https://bwfworldtour.bwfbadminton.com/tournament/5215/sathio-group-australian-badminton-open-2026/draws/
Sports is often at its best when communities show up for their own. Every cheer from the stands, every Indian flag waved, and every young fan seeing their heroes up close helps strengthen the connection between the athletes and the communities they represent.
The players have travelled thousands of kilometres to compete. So let us make sure they know they are not competing alone. Sydney, it is your time to show up for the team.
Event Information
Dates: 9–14 June 2026
Time: 9 AM- 8 PM (session timings may vary depending on match schedules)
Venue: Quaycentre, Sydney Olympic Park
Getting There:
Train: Sydney Olympic Park Station is a short walk from the venue.
Parking: P3 and P4 car parks are the closest options, with daily capped parking available.
*Finals weekend is expected to attract strong attendance, so early booking is recommended.
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