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India will be represented by three women's badminton players at the Paris Olympics: PV Sindhu in singles and the doubles pair of Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto. While the spotlight is on Sindhu, the doubles pair has also shown promise.

Let's take a look at the current form of all three badminton players heading into the Paris Olympics

PV Sindhu: The Torchbearer

PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, carries the hopes of a billion people on her shoulders. Her silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020 have established her as India's premier badminton player. However, the road to Paris 2024 has been a rollercoaster.

Sindhu began 2023 with a bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships, contributing to India's overall success. However, her individual form was inconsistent, marked by early exits in several tournaments. The Spain Masters was her only final appearance of the year as she consistently made semi-finals and a host of first-round exits.

The year 2024 started on a positive note with a gold medal at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships, where she played a crucial role in India's triumph. However, the individual season hasn't been as smooth. While she reached the final of the Malaysian Masters in 2024, her overall performance has been inconsistent, raising concerns about her readiness for the Olympics.

Sindhu's immense talent and experience are undeniable. However, to challenge for a medal at the Paris Olympics, she will need to find consistency and peak at the right time. The draw for the Olympics will also be crucial, with a tough road ahead.

Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto: The Dynamic Duo

Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Crasto formed a partnership in 2023 and have shown steady progress. Their journey together has been marked by gradual improvement. While they haven't achieved breakthrough results on the same level as top-tier pairs, their consistent performances have earned them a place in the Olympics.

Recent performances for the duo have been mixed. While they reached the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open in 2024, they have also faced early exits in other tournaments. The duo last played at the Indonesia Open in June this year. They faced a defeat in the Round of 16 against a South Korean pair.

Their ability to consistently perform at a high level against top-tier competition will be crucial for their success at the Olympics.

The Paris Olympics will be a significant test for Ponnappa and Crasto. They face stiff competition from experienced and higher-ranked pairs. However, with the right preparation and strategy, they can surprise a few opponents.

Indian Badminton Squad For Paris Olympics 2024

Women:

• PV Sindhu (Women’s Singles)
• Ashwini Ponnappa, Tanisha Crasto (Women’s Doubles)

Paris Olympics 2024 Badminton Schedule - Women's Events

Paris Olympics 2024 Badminton Schedule - Women's Events (As per Indian Standard Time)