Satwik-Chirag Pull Out of Badminton Asia Championships, India Pins Hopes on Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu
India’s campaign at the Badminton Asia Championships has suffered an early setback with the withdrawal of the men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty due to Satwik’s persistent shoulder injury. The defending champions, who had lifted the title in 2023, have been struggling with fitness issues for weeks and had already pulled out of the Swiss Open before their quarterfinal. “Satwik still has some pain, so they won’t be playing this week,” coach Tan Kim Her told PTI. Their absence leaves a significant gap in India’s campaign, placing the spotlight firmly on the singles players, particularly Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu. For Lakshya Sen, the tournament represents more than just another shot at a title. India has not won a men’s singles gold at the continental meet since 1965, when Dinesh Khanna stood atop the podium. The 24-year-old from Almora, coming off a runner-up finish at the All England Championships, will begin his campaign against Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu, carrying both momentum and expectation. Sindhu returns after a disrupted European leg, having been stranded in Dubai en route to the All England Championships due to the conflict in West Asia, which forced her withdrawal. She also skipped the Swiss Open to recover and will open her campaign against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching. India’s men’s singles lineup sees the return of HS Prannoy after a shoulder injury, who will face a qualifier. Kidambi Srikanth takes on Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, while US Open champion Ayush Shetty meets China’s Li Shi Feng. In women’s singles, apart from Sindhu, Unnati Hooda faces Thailand’s Supanida Katethong, Tanvi Sharma takes on Malaysia’s K. Letshanaa, and Malvika Bansod goes up against Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan. Although India’s top men’s doubles pair is absent, the country still has representation across doubles categories. In men’s doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M R Arjun face top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, while P. Krishnamurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K. take on Japan’s Kakeru Kumagai and Hiroki Nishi. In women’s doubles, Ashwini Bhat K. and Shikha Gautam meet Thailand’s Hathaithip Mijad and N. Tungkasatan, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela play China’s Luo Yi and Wang Ting Ge. Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra await a qualifier. Mixed doubles sees Rohan Kapoor and Gadde Ruthvika Shivani face Malaysia’s Goh Soon Huat and Lai Shevon Jemie, Ashith Surya and Amrutha Pramuthesh take on Wong Tien Ci and Lim Chiew Sien, and Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto meet Thailand’s P. Horbanluekit and Benyapa Aimsaard. With Satwik and Chirag out, India’s hopes now rest heavily on its singles stars, and for Lakshya Sen, this tournament is a historic opportunity to end a six-decade wait for men’s singles gold at the Asian Championships.
Cameron Green Under Pressure as Kolkata Knight Riders Consider Major Shake-Up for IPL Clash
Big-money signing Cameron Green has quickly become the focal point of concern for Kolkata Knight Riders as they search for answers early in the season. Bought in for a staggering ₹25.20 crore with expectations of delivering as a premium all-rounder, Green has so far been used only as a batter and has failed to make an impact. His absence as a bowling option has left the side unbalanced, forcing the team management to rethink their combination ahead of the clash against the Punjab Kings. KKR’s struggles in the ongoing Indian Premier League campaign have only intensified the spotlight on Green. Having lost their opening two matches, another defeat would push them into a three-game losing streak. Captain Ajinkya Rahane had already hinted after the last game that changes were likely, and now a reshuffle seems imminent as the team looks to correct its course. One of the boldest calls could be dropping Green himself. In his place, Rovman Powell is emerging as a strong alternative. Powell not only offers explosive batting but can also contribute with the ball, something KKR are currently missing. His recent performances in T20 cricket further strengthen his case for inclusion. Another overseas spot under scrutiny is that of Sunil Narine. Once a guaranteed starter and one of KKR’s biggest match-winners, Narine’s effectiveness has declined. His bowling no longer carries the same threat, and his batting remains a high-risk option unless utilised in the power play. As a result, the team management could consider resting him as well. If that happens, Rachin Ravindra could come into the XI. A dependable all-rounder, Ravindra brings both quality spin and stability in the top order. His ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game makes him a valuable option as KKR looks to regain balance. The reshuffle may not stop there. Rahul Tripathi is also in contention for a return, potentially replacing Kartik Tyagi. Tripathi’s aggressive batting style in the middle order could provide the spark KKR have been lacking. With Powell and Ramandeep Singh capable of chipping in with the ball, the team can afford to sacrifice a specialist bowler to strengthen their batting lineup. Additionally, KKR might stick with three overseas players in the starting XI, keeping either Finn Allen or Blessing Muzarabani as an Impact Player depending on match conditions. With pressure mounting and results not going their way, KKR appear ready to make tough decisions. Whether it means sidelining a high-profile signing like Green or moving on from experienced players, the focus is firmly on finding the right balance before their campaign slips further.
Ravichandran Ashwin Opens Up on ‘Mentally Disturbing’ Exit from Chennai Super Kings
Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t hold back his emotions after the Chennai Super Kings slumped to a third consecutive defeat in the ongoing Indian Premier League season, with their latest loss coming against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Watching the game as a neutral, the veteran spinner admitted that CSK’s struggles brought back painful memories from his own final stint with the franchise. Opening up on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said, “Any suggestions for sad songs? I am watching the match from a neutral point of view, but remember that I recently spent a disappointing season with CSK, it was a disappointing season for me personally as well.” He revealed that while he still felt capable of continuing, mental fatigue played a decisive role in his retirement, “Honestly, in my mind, I could have played more, because emotionally, I just did not have the bandwidth to play.” When prodded to revisit what exactly went wrong during that period, Ashwin made it clear that the experience still affects him deeply. “I don’t want to go there, it’s mentally disturbing. It was very painful for me. I don’t want to go there,” he said, avoiding specifics but underlining the emotional toll. He went on to explain the practical reasoning behind stepping away, saying, “I discussed a little, then I said, I started in Chennai, I am finishing in my hometown, it’s fine.” He added, “I decided to retire myself as it would not have created a headache for them (the management) over whether to retain me or release me. They would also save Rs 10 crore if I went.” Despite trying to rationalize the decision, Ashwin admitted the disappointment still lingers: “I am still disappointed. I had expectations, I had hope.” Speaking about the match against RCB, Ashwin acknowledged that he had predicted the result but still expected more fight from CSK. “I had expectations for today. I know, I picked RCB to win, because they have strength,” he said, before adding, “But, I banked on the improvement that CSK showed in the last game. I had a little faith in the fact that RCB were coming into this match after a break.” However, he was clearly impressed, and perhaps alarmed by RCB’s performance, “The way RCB played, they warned everyone.” Ashwin also reflected on CSK’s strategic shift this season, where the franchise has placed greater trust in younger players instead of relying heavily on experienced names as they traditionally have. While he supports the idea in principle, he questioned the execution and the environment being provided. “These young boys, you have to give them good practice, you have to give them intensity, you have to give them atmosphere from here on. How are they going to do this?” he asked, hinting that the current setup may not be adequately nurturing emerging talent. The former Indian spinner was particularly critical of how bowlers are being utilized, suggesting that the team management is not playing to individual strengths. Highlighting specific examples, he said, “You can watch SA20 to plan against. Jamie Overton isn’t good at bowling yorkers. You are making him do that.” He elaborated further on the tactical flaw, noting, “You have to play according to the bowler’s strengths. You are making him bowl wide yorkers from around the stumps.” The consequences, according to Ashwin, were evident during the match itself, “Tim David smashed them hard,” he pointed out, underlining how predictable strategies were punished. Overall, Ashwin’s remarks painted a picture of both personal disappointment and concern for CSK’s current direction. While he tried to maintain a neutral perspective as an observer, his words reflected lingering emotional scars from his final season and a critical view of how the team is being managed during a challenging phase.
