India Announce 17-Member Junior Badminton Squad For YONEX Dutch And German Internationals

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Badminton Association of India (BAI) on Wednesday (February 5) announced 17-member squad for the upcoming Yonex Dutch Junior International and YONEX German Junior 2025 badminton competions, scheduled to be held from February 26.

Some of India's top junior stars will be in action at the Dutch Junior International, which unfolds in Haarlem from February 26 to March 2 followed by the German Junior in Mulheim an der Ruhr from March 5-9.

Among the prominent names representing India are National U-17 champion Gnana Dattu T and junior world number six Raunak Chouhan, along with Adarshini Shri and the doubles specialists Bhavya Chhabra and Param Chaudhary.

The Indian team, comprising 17 members, has been carefully selected to include four boys and girls singles players each, alongside two pairs each for boys doubles, girls doubles, and mixed doubles. The selection process adhered to the BAI Selection Committee's guidelines.

Winners of the All India Junior Ranking Tournament (U-19) in Hyderabad were granted direct entry, while other spots were filled through selection trials in New Delhi, which featured top-ranked players and semifinalists from the Hyderabad event.

India's Bright Prospects in International Badminton

India's badminton scene has seen a steady rise in talent, especially in the junior ranks. The YONEX Dutch Junior International and the YONEX German Junior are pivotal for nurturing young talent, serving as crucial platforms before they step into the senior circuit.

"Indian players have been making a mark in these competitions over the last few years before transitioning to the senior circuit," stated Sanjay Mishra, General Secretary of the Badminton Association of India.

"This augurs well for the junior development plan that BAI has been focusing on for the last few years, especially with 10 players currently in the top ten of the BWF World Junior Rankings. I am confident that this contingent will also put their best foot forward in the two competitions and make us proud."

The history of India's participation in these tournaments is notable. RMV Gurusai Dutt remains the only Indian boy to clinch the gold medal at the YONEX Dutch Junior International back in 2008, a year that also saw him winning the Commonwealth Youth Games gold and the world junior bronze medal.

More recently, Surya Charisma Tamiri secured the girls' singles bronze medal at the 2024 YONEX German Junior, while Ayush Shetty brought home the boys' singles bronze medal the previous year before bagging the 2023 world junior bronze.

India Aims High at Upcoming Championships

With a strong contingent set to compete, India harbors hopes of securing multiple medals from both prestigious events. The selection reflects a blend of experience and young talent, which has been gaining momentum on the international circuit.

Supported with exposure tours at various age group levels by BAI, these players are well-prepared to showcase their skills and strive for success in the upcoming tournaments.

The full squad representing India includes promising names across different categories. Here is the full squad for the upcoming junior badminton tournaments in Europe:

India Badminton Squad For Dutch Junior International & German Junior Tournaments

• Boys Singles: Rounak Chouhan, Gnana Dattu TT, Suryaksh Rawat, Pranauv Ram N
• Girls Singles: Adarshini Shri, Tanoo Chandra, Rujula Ramu, Tanvi Reddy Andluri
• Boys Doubles: Bhavya Chhabra/Param Chaudhary, Mithilesh PK/Vishnu Kedar Kode
• Girls Doubles: Pragati Parida/Vishakha Toppo, Anaya Bisht/Angel Punera
• Mixed Doubles: Bhavya Chhabra/Angel Punera, Lairamsanga C/Vishakha Toppo