Asian Games 2023: India announces badminton squad, Kidambi Srikanth, Ashmita Chaliha top selection trials

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) had held trials to finalise the badminton team for the upcoming Asian Games 2023 and the selectors named a 19-member squad for the continental event.

Kidambi Srikanth and Ashmita Chaliha on Sunday topped the men's and women's singles selection trials respectively. The four-day long trials, which were held at the Jwala Gutta Badminton Academy, saw the two shuttlers now join PV Sindhu and HS Prannoy for the individual competitions. 

READ | Sudirman Cup Final 2023: Indian squad, teams and all you need to know

According to the Badminton Association of India's announcement of the format for the selection trials, the top singles players would also have the opportunity to compete in the individual events that would be held following the team championship. Three spots in men's and women's singles, one spot in men's and women's doubles, and two spots in mixed doubles were all up for grabs from the trials.

While Srikanth won stage 2, Lakshya finished second in the rankings, his defeat by Srikanth being the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record. Manjunath finished third in 1-4 ranking in stage 2.

In women's singles, Chaliha and Anupama Upadhyaya grabbed the top two positions followed by Malvika Bansod in stage 2. 

Talking about the Asian Games, it will be held in Hangzhou, China and is scheduled to be played from September 23-October 8. 

India squad:

Men's singles: HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth (Individual/Team), Lakshya Sen, Mithun Manjunath (Team) 

Men's doubles: Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty, Dhruv Kapila/MR Arjun (Individual/Team) 

Women's singles: PV Sindhu, Ashmita Chaliha (Individual/Team), Anupama Upadhyaya, Malvika Bansod (Team) Doubles (Individual/-Team) 

Women's doubles: Gayatri Gopichand /Treesa Jolly, Ashwini Ponnappa /Tanisha Crasto (Individual/Team) 

Mixed doubles: Rohan Kapoor /N Sikki Reddy, Sai Pratheek K/Tanisha Crasto.