Facing Sindhu And Saina Has Taught Me So Much: Malvika Bansod On Learning From India’s Best

In recent years, India has witnessed a surge in badminton stars, with stalwarts like PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Chirag Shetty, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy leading the way.

Now, a new generation is emerging, and among them, Malvika Bansod stands out as a promising talent, making her mark in the sport.

A few days ago, 23-year-old Malvika finished as the runner-up at the Hylo Open, where she was defeated by Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt 21-10, 21-15. Before the Hylo Open, Malvika had stunned the Paris Olympics bronze medalist, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia, at the China Open.

Reflecting on her recent achievements, Malvika shared, "Winning silver at the Hylo Open has been a significant moment for me. It's my fifth Super Series medal, and being the third Indian woman after Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to reach this level is a huge honor."

She added, "Defeating Paris Olympics bronze medalist Gregoria Mariska was another highlight. It was a tough match, and I gained so much experience from it."

In her early days, Malvika made headlines by facing off against two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu at the 2022 Syed Modi International final. "Playing against Sindhu was a learning experience," the Nagpur shuttler reflected.

"It was incredibly motivating to have her appreciate my game, and it pushed me to understand what I needed to improve at the international level."

A major career moment came when she defeated her childhood idol, Saina Nehwal, at the India Open. "Saina has always been my inspiration," Malvika said. "Beating her was surreal. She's known for her mental strength, and facing her taught me so much. Her encouragement after the match was priceless and boosted my confidence enormously."

Despite facing significant health challenges in 2023, Malvika has shown resilience. "Dengue and typhoid took a toll on my body, and I struggled for months," the Maldives international winner recounted. "But with my family's unwavering support, I found the strength to return. That difficult phase only made me stronger."

Malvika Bansod is more than just a rising star; she's a determined athlete with a mission to honor and build upon India's badminton legacy. "I'm on my way to continuing that legacy," she said, smiling. "With every match, I aim to perform better and reach new heights for Indian badminton."