Indian Shuttlers Face Mixed Fortunes at Orleans Masters 2025: Prannoy, Srikanth Out, Shetty Advances
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- Indian Shuttlers Face Mixed Fortunes at Orleans Masters 2025: Prannoy, Srikanth Out, Shetty Advances
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HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth, two of India’s premier badminton athletes, faced disappointing exits from the Orleans Masters 2025 tournament on Thursday. Both players were defeated in their respective second-round men’s singles matches at the Palais des Sports in France. However,Ayush Shetty provided a positive highlight,continuing his strong performance at the Super 300 tournament.The Orleans Masters 2025 is a key event on the badminton calendar, offering crucial ranking points as players prepare for upcoming competitions. While Prannoy and Srikanth encountered tough opposition,Shetty’s progress offers a glimpse of hope for Indian badminton’s future.
Prannoy’s Close First Game Ends in Defeat
HS Prannoy, ranked No. 30 in the world, faced a difficult challenge against Lin Chun-yi of Chinese Taipei, who holds the 14th spot in the badminton rankings. The first game was tightly contested, with both players neck and neck at 18-18. The tension was palpable as each point was hard-fought.
Ultimately,Lin Chun-yi managed to maintain his composure and secure the opening game. According to tournament reports, Lin Chun-yi held his nerve to wrap up the opening game and then switched gears in the second to win the match 21-18, 21-9.
Prannoy struggled to regain momentum in the second game, eventually succumbing to Lin’s dominance. The loss underscores the importance of maintaining consistency and mental fortitude in high-pressure situations.
Srikanth Falls to Lee Zii Jia Despite Late Fight
Former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth also faced a formidable opponent in Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, a Paris 2024 bronze medalist. Srikanth, currently ranked 45th in the men’s singles badminton rankings, lost in straight games in a 30-minute match. The fast defeat highlights the intensity and speed of play at this level of competition.
Despite a valiant effort, Srikanth couldn’t overcome the top seed and world No. 7, Lee Zii Jia. Reports indicated that Kidambi Srikanth, 45th in the men’s singles badminton rankings, fought hard after losing the opening game but ultimately fell to top seed and world No. 7 lee Zii Jia.
Srikanth saved nine match points in the second game,but it wasn’t enough to force a third game,with Lee Zii jia winning the contest 21-11,21-17. srikanth’s resilience in saving those match points demonstrates his fighting spirit, even in defeat.
Ayush Shetty Keeps Indian Hopes Alive
While Prannoy and Srikanth faced setbacks, Ayush Shetty, ranked no. 48, continued his impressive performance at the Orleans Masters 2025. Shetty, fresh off an upset victory against former world champion Loh Kean Yew in the previous round, demonstrated his potential once again. His earlier victory had already marked him as a player to watch in the tournament.
Shetty secured a victory against Jason Gunawan of Hong Kong China, ranked 38th, with a score of 21-17, 21-17.According to official results, Ayush Shetty beat Hong kong China’s Jason Gunawan, ranked 38th, 21-17, 21-17 to keep India’s challenge at the Orleans Masters alive.
His win provided a positive note for India in the tournament, showcasing the emergence of new talent within the Indian badminton scene.
Doubles Teams Face Disappointment
The tournament also saw setbacks for India’s doubles teams. The mixed doubles pair of Rohan Kapoor and Ruthvika Gadde had to withdraw from their match against Yang Po-Hsuan and Hu Ling-fang of Chinese Taipei due to a walkover.The reason for the walkover was not specified.
In the men’s doubles section, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K were defeated by Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-Hsuan of Chinese Taipei with a score of 21-16, 21-13.Tournament officials confirmed that Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy and Sai Pratheek K were also ousted in the second round of the men’s doubles section after losing 21-16, 21-13 against Chinese Taipei’s Lee jhe-huei and Yang Po-Hsuan.
The loss highlights the challenges faced by Indian doubles teams in international competition.
Orleans Masters 2025: Full results for Indian Players
Men’s Singles
- Lee Zii Jia (MAS) bt Kidambi Srikanth 21-11, 21-17
- Lin Chun-yi (TPE) bt HS Prannoy 21-18, 21-9
- Ayush Shetty bt jason Gunawan (HKG) 21-17, 21-17
Men’s Doubles
- Lee Jhe-huei/Yang Po-Hsuan (TPE) bt Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy/Sai Pratheek K 21-16, 21-13
Mixed Doubles
- Yang Po-Hsuan/Hu Ling-fang (TPE) bt Rohan Kapoor/Ruthvika Gadde via walkover
Indian Badminton’s Rise and Fall at Orleans Masters: An Expert Interview
Did you know that despite the remarkable rise of Indian badminton in recent years, the contry still faces important challenges in consistently competing at the highest levels of international tournaments? This is a complex issue with deep roots, as we’ll explore in this exclusive interview with renowned badminton analyst, Dr. Anya Sharma.
World-Today-News.com Senior Editor (STE): Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. The Orleans masters 2025 saw a mixed bag of results for Indian shuttlers. Can you give us your overall assessment of India’s performance?
Dr. Anya Sharma (DAS): certainly. The Orleans Masters showcased both the promise and the persistent challenges facing Indian badminton. While the unexpected success of Ayush Shetty offers a beacon of hope, the early exits of established players like HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth highlight the need for continued growth and strategic planning within the Indian badminton ecosystem.the inconsistent performances across both singles and doubles categories point to a broader issue needing attention.
STE: Let’s delve into the men’s singles. Prannoy and Srikanth, two prominent figures, suffered early defeats.What were the key factors contributing to their losses?
DAS: Both Prannoy and Srikanth faced exceptionally strong opponents. Prannoy’s match against lin Chun-yi was a closely fought first game, showcasing his competitive spirit. Though, Lin Chun-yi’s ability to maintain composure under pressure and adjust his strategy proved decisive. Srikanth, despite his valiant efforts and resilience against Lee Zii Jia, ultimately succumbed to the Malaysian player’s superior experience and current ranking. These matches highlight the importance of consistent high-level performance, mental fortitude, and the need for strategic game planning against top-ranked opponents. they also underscore the need for more international exposure and high-stakes match experience for Indian shuttlers.
STE: Ayush shetty’s performance was a radiant spot. What makes him such a promising talent, and what are the key elements of his game?
DAS: Shetty’s victory reflects the emergence of new talent within the Indian badminton scene. His ability to secure an upset win against a former world champion, followed up by another win, demonstrates extraordinary skill, strategic prowess, and a remarkable level of self-belief. He displays aggressiveness on the court, combined with solid defensive capabilities, making for a well-rounded skillset. His victory underscores the significance of consistent training, the importance of fostering a strong mental game, and the potential of Indian players in the international arena. Shetty’s success is a testament to the potential of focused training and strategic development.
STE: The doubles events didn’t fare so well. What are the unique challenges facing Indian doubles pairs in international competition?
DAS: Indian doubles teams often face challenges against well-established partnerships from countries with a longer history and extensive resources in doubles development. Coordination and effective communication are crucial in doubles, requiring significant on-court practice and team bonding. Unlike singles,doubles demand a different level of strategy and anticipation. We often see a lack of specialized doubles coaching and training programs dedicated to developing international-level partnerships. More focus on specialized training programs is vital to raising the caliber of India’s doubles players.
STE: What strategies can be implemented to improve the overall performance of Indian badminton players?
DAS: To improve performance, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. This includes:
Increased International Exposure: More opportunities to compete in high-level tournaments.
Focussed Doubles Training: Developing specialized doubles coaching programs and partnerships.
Mental Conditioning Programs: Incorporating mental strength training to augment physical skills.
Advanced Data Analytics: Utilizing data to analyze individual player strengths and weaknesses.
* Long-Term Development Plans: Implementation of structured development programs catering to different age groups.
STE: what overall message would you like to leave our readers with regarding the future of Indian badminton?
DAS: While the Orleans Masters 2025 showed some inconsistencies, the performance of players like Ayush Shetty provides a glimpse into the vibrant future of Indian badminton. With strategic planning and a sustained focus on the holistic development of its players, India’s badminton future looks bright indeed. The potential is there; now it’s critical to invest in the right systems and support structures to nurture that potential.
STE: Thank you, Dr.Sharma, for sharing your insightful outlook. This has been most enlightening.
What are your predictions for the future of Indian badminton? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media using #IndianBadminton #OrleansMasters.