Listing the challenges and opportunities that badminton faces in India, Neeti Prakash observes that despite limited resources and infrastructure, Indian players began to make their mark on the international stage. Through clubs and associations, the sport has made a gradual headway to become a sought-after game. Citing some prominent names that have brought glory to the country, she says it is heartening that BAI’s efforts are being fructified by promising talent.
The history of badminton in India is as intriguing as the sport itself. From its humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse in international competitions, the journey of badminton in India is akin to the passion and dedication of its players and administrators.
The sport was introduced formally in India in the late 19th century, with the establishment of badminton clubs and associations in major cities. These clubs served as hubs for enthusiasts to gather and play the game, laying the groundwork for the sport’s growth in the country.
With the founding of the Badminton Association of India (BAI), one of the oldest badminton governing bodies, the sport started to gain popularity. Another major milestone in Indian badminton came in 1934 when the International Badminton Federation (IBF) was formed, a governing body to oversee the development and promotion of the sport worldwide, which India joined in 1936.
Eventually, organised competitions and tournaments became more prevalent, providing a platform for Indian players to showcase their skills.
The evolution
In the years following independence, badminton in India faced both challenges and opportunities. Despite limited resources and infrastructure, Indian players began to make their mark on the international stage.
Notable names like Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand emerged as trailblazers, winning prestigious titles and inspiring a new generation of players.
In 1980, Padukone secured his place in Indian sporting history by becoming the first Indian to clinch the esteemed All England Open Badminton Championships and ascend to the top spot in the men’s badminton world rankings.
His illustrious career further shone when he secured India’s inaugural Commonwealth Games gold medal in badminton, triumphing in the men’s singles event in 1978. His achievements also include a bronze medal at the 1983 World Badminton Championships and a gold medal at the 1981 World Cup held in Singapore.
Following in the footsteps of his mentor, Pullela Gopichand emerged as a prominent figure in Indian badminton during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Gopichand’s crowning glory came in 2001 when he won the All England title, solidifying his place in the annals of Indian badminton history.
Badminton made its debut in the Summer Olympics during the Barcelona 1992 Games, featuring men’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s singles, and women’s doubles events. The addition of mixed doubles to the Olympic roster occurred in 1996.
At the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, Deepankar Bhattacharya and U Vimal Kumar became the first male shuttlers to represent India, while Madhumita Bisht stood as India’s sole female player.
New success
The turning point for Indian badminton came in the early 21st century with the emergence of players like Saina Nehwal and P V Sindhu. These talented athletes broke new ground by winning medals at major international events, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games.
Their success not only raised the profile of badminton in India but also attracted more youngsters to take up the sport professionally. Today, Badminton too has come in line with the global trend of franchise-based sporting leagues with the formation of the Premier Badminton League (PBL, formerly Indian Badminton League) in 2016.
The emergence of professional leagues has further boosted the popularity of the sport and provided a platform for domestic talent to showcase their skills alongside international stars.
In addition to individual achievements, India has also made significant strides in team competitions, with the men’s and women’s teams consistently performing well in events like the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup.
Players and more
Pullela Gopichand’s protégé, Saina Nehwal, etched her name in Indian sporting history by securing the nation’s first-ever Olympic badminton medal. Nehwal’s bronze triumph in the women’s singles event at the 2012 London Olympics marked a watershed moment for Indian badminton. Additionally, Nehwal achieved the pinnacle of success by becoming the only Indian woman to attain the World No. 1 ranking in 2015.
PV Sindhu, also Gopichand’s pupil, has made an indelible mark on the global badminton scene. With her stellar performance, Sindhu elevated India’s Olympic medal tally with a silver in the women’s singles event at the Rio 2016 Games.
In a historic feat, she clinched India’s maiden gold medal at the BWF World Championships in 2019, further solidifying her stature as a badminton icon. Sindhu’s excellence continued at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she secured a bronze, becoming the first Indian woman to bag two Olympic medals.
Kidambi Srikanth has been a formidable force in Indian men’s badminton. With six BWF Superseries titles and three BWF Grand Prix victories, Srikanth has established himself as a dominant force on the international circuit.
His ascent to the top of the world rankings in 2018 marked a significant milestone, making him the first Indian men’s shuttler since Prakash Padukone to achieve this feat. In a historic moment for Indian badminton, Srikanth clinched the silver medal at the 2021 badminton world championships, further cementing his legacy.
Tennis glory
Tennis, a sport with a rich global history, has also left its mark on the sporting landscape of India. Some of the important names in the sport are Vijay Amritraj, Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan, Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, etc.
The sport was initially played in exclusive clubs and colonial estates, serving as a pastime for the privileged few. These early years laid the foundation for the growth of tennis in India, as it began to spread to different parts of the country.
One of the significant milestones in the history of Indian tennis came with the establishment of the All India Tennis Association (AITA) in 1920. The formation of AITA provided a platform for organising and promoting tennis at the national level, facilitating the development of the sport across the country.
In the post-independence era, Indian tennis witnessed a gradual rise in prominence, with players making their mark on the international circuit. One of the earliest Indian tennis stars was Ramanathan Krishnan, who achieved considerable success in the years spanning 1950s and 1960s. He entered the semi-finals of Wimbledon twice, in 1960 and 1961.
The 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of Vijay Amritraj and his brother Anand Amritraj, who became household names in Indian tennis. Vijay Amritraj’s success at prestigious tournaments brought Indian tennis into the spotlight, inspiring a new generation of players.
Powerful partnerships
In the 1990s, Leander Paes burst onto the international scene, becoming India’s most successful tennis player of his generation. Paes achieved fame for his prowess in doubles, winning multiple Grand Slam titles and Olympic medals. His partnership with Mahesh Bhupathi, another Indian tennis stalwart, dominated the doubles circuit and raised India’s profile in international tennis.
The turn of the 21st century witnessed the emergence of Sania Mirza as India’s leading female tennis player. Mirza’s meteoric rise to fame, marked by her powerful groundstrokes and fearless style of play, made her a role model for aspiring tennis players, especially girls, across the country.
In recent years, Indian tennis has continued to thrive, with players like Rohan Bopanna, Saketh Myneni, and Ankita Raina making their mark on the international circuit. The establishment of professional tennis leagues like the Champions Tennis League and the Maharashtra Open has further bolstered the popularity of the sport in India.