Australia Open 2026: Indian Shuttlers Who Have Withdrawn From The Tournament

India's star shuttler PV Sindhu will aim to end her title drought in the ongoing Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament, which is set to begin on Tuesday in Sydney. While Sindhu made the arduous journey to Australia, many star shuttlers like Satwik-Chirag, HS Prannoy, Lakshya Sen, and Ayush Shetty have withdrawn from the tournament.

Sindhu, ranked World No. 11 in women's singles, aims to win a BWF title for the first time since the 2024 Syed Modi International. Her best result this year is the third-place finish at the Malaysian Open in January. She enters the Australian Open with a favourable draw, playing the opening round against Peru's Ines Lucia Castillo Salazar, who is ranked 76th.

Australia Open 2026: Indian Shuttlers Who Withdrew From The Tournament

Indian badminton player Ayush Shetty has withdrawn from the 2026 Australian Open, joining a string of last-minute pullouts from the Indian contingent. Fellow singles shuttler HS Prannoy and the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto have also opted out of the tournament.

Neither the players nor the Badminton Association of India (BAI) have officially cited specific reasons for these withdrawals. However, the timing suggests a connection to the demanding international schedule.

The Australian Open, scheduled from June 9 to 14, comes immediately after the high-intensity Indonesia Open Super 1000. Shetty had a physically taxing run in Indonesia, highlighted by a 66-minute, three-game comeback win over China's Weng Hong Yang, followed by a challenging pre-quarterfinal clash against Lee Cheuk Yiu.

Managing workload and fitness appears to be a key factor behind the decision. Shetty, who is notably tall for a singles player, has previously dealt with lower back issues. Taller athletes often face greater strain on the lower body due to their higher centre of gravity, particularly during extended rallies and deep court coverage. As a result, players frequently skip back-to-back tournaments to reduce injury risk and maintain peak condition.

Kiran George To Spearhead Men's Singles Charge For India

With both Shetty and Prannoy out, world No. 49 Kiran George will lead India's men's singles campaign at the Sydney event, as the team looks to navigate the competition with a depleted lineup. Kiran George heads into the Australian Open in Sydney with a clear objective: to regain momentum after an early exit at the Indonesia Open Super 1000, where he, along with HS Prannoy and Ayush Shetty, fell in the opening round.

With several late withdrawals thinning the field, Kiran now leads a relatively young Indian men's singles squad that includes Tharun Mannepalli, Saneeth Dayanand, and Manraj Singh. Born on February 11, 2000, in Kochi, Kerala, the 26-year-old shuttler comes from a strong badminton background and trains under South Korean coach Yoo Yong-sung. Currently ranked world No. 49, with a career-best of No. 34 achieved in May 2024, Kiran has steadily built a reputation as a dangerous competitor.

His biggest recent success came in December 2025, when he won the Odisha Masters, defeating Indonesia's Muhamad Yusuf in a three-game final. Known for upsetting higher-ranked opponents, he has beaten top names like Shi Yuqi and Toma Junior Popov and reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 India Open Super 750. With his calm temperament, tactical discipline, and ability to deliver in crucial moments, Kiran's performance will be key to India's campaign this week.