Prakash Padukone says Indian shuttlers should have done ‘much better’ at Asian Games 2026

Prakash Padukone singled out P.V. Sindhu as an example of the hunger he would like others to emulate. | Photo Credit: PTI

Indian badminton’s solitary bronze medal at the Asian Games should be viewed as a disappointment rather than an aberration, according to former All England champion Prakash Padukone, who believes the country’s leading shuttlers have the wherewithal to be far more consistent.

“It was a little disappointing. We should have done much better,” Padukone said on Thursday.

“Considering the kind of talent we have, we should have done much better. Even I was expecting, if not better, at least equal to last time’s medal tally,” he added.

Padukone, however, stopped short of reading too much into the Asian Games result. Instead, he called for greater consistency from India’s established players, who have often followed big tournament victories with early exits.

ALSO READ | P.V. Sindhu advances to quarters in Arctic Open; Tanvi Sharma crashes out

“They play throughout the year, so it’s extremely difficult to be on top all the time for everybody,” he said, adding, “But I would definitely like the players to be more consistent. And it is possible. It is not due to lack of support — they have a lot of support. They need to put in a little more effort.”

Padukone was in Mumbai to announce a collaboration between the Padukone School of Badminton and the International Institute of Sports Management. Padukone suggested that Indian players should identify four or five important tournaments in a year and peak for them, while avoiding first-round exits at other events.

(L-R) Rasika Kulkarni, Co-Founder & Managing Director, IISM; Nilesh Kulkarni, Founder-Director, IISM; Prakash Padukone, Mentor, Padukone School of Badminton; and Tahsin Zahid, CEO – Sports, Physical Education, during a collaboration between the Padukone School of Badminton and the International Institute of Sports Management. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

India’s singles pipeline, meanwhile, gives him reason for optimism. Ayush Shetty has emerged in the men’s section, while Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma are among the promising women’s singles players.

“Singles has always been our strength and that will continue,” he said, while acknowledging that replacing established doubles combinations could be more difficult.

Padukone singled out P.V. Sindhu as an example of the hunger he would like others to emulate. Sindhu’s Japan Open triumph, he said, showed that she remained driven despite an enviable medal collection.

“She is 31 now; she has won so many medals; she can easily rest on her laurels and be happy. But she still wants to push. And I think she is an ideal example for others to follow,” Padukone said.