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These classic and timeless Indian badminton players are gems of the game. For many decades India has been producing many famous badminton players who have brought great joy and pride to the nationwide spectators. Indian badminton players have set their foot on every international podium of badminton, be it Commonwealth, Olympic, or any other major international event. Team KreedOn has brought you a complete list of the top 10 famous badminton players of India. The game that requires high stamina, fitness, precision, and agility, has seen a phenomenal rise in India since its 1st match that was played in 1934. India over the years has witnessed many players who have excelled in the game. These Indian badminton players are taking the world by storm by breaking many world records, clinching medals, fame, and name in their kitty. Let’s know more about the top 11 famous Indian Badminton Players
List of Top 11 Famous Indian Badminton Players
| Famous Indian Badminton Players | Awards and Achievements: Famous Badminton players of India |
| Nandu Natekar
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| Parupalli Kashyap
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| Ashwini Ponnappa
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| Jwala Gutta
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| Aparna Popat
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| Srikanth Kidambi
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| Lakshya Sen |
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| Saina Nehwal
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| PV Sindhu
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| Pullela Gopichand
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| Prakash Padukone
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Nandu Natekar: Famous Badminton Players of India
Considered the ‘God of Indian Badminton’, Nandu Natekar was one of the most famous badminton players in India’s badminton history. Natekar had extraordinary control over the game, stroke-making style, and an exquisite display of artistry. He was considered the king of his home court and was just invincible.
With more than 100 national and international titles under his belt, Natekar was also the first Indian to clinch an international title in 1956. His class of game is so high that people used to travel from far-fetched areas to see his match, particularly.
Natekar carries the pride of being the most voted sportsperson of India in the year 1961. A top-famous Indian badminton player during his time, Natekar made his place in the top 8 in the All-Indian Championship. Nandu Natekar is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1961.
Parupalli Kashyap: Famous Badminton Players of India
Parupalli Kashyap is an Indian badminton player and currently, the top-ranked Indian male badminton player. He is also the number one ranked Indian badminton player in male singles. Having reached the quarterfinal of the London Olympics 2012, he missed winning a medal. But Parupalli is one of the strongest and most famous Indian badminton players.
His medal tally boosts a Commonwealth Games gold medal as well. What makes all these achievements all the more special is, Kashyap’s fighting, making a subsequent victory over asthma, and marking his way all the way through. Parupalli is also a recipient of the Arjuna award.
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Also Read | Sai Praneeth Biography
Ashwini Ponnappa: Famous Badminton Players of India
Ashwini Ponnappa Machimanda is a south Indian badminton player. She is the champion in the double’s Indian badminton circuit.
With her pair with Jwala Gutta, she has many medals at international events. The pair has won many medals together at various international events that include the Commonwealth Games where they won a gold medal. The pair has also clinched numerous bronze medals at the Uber Cup and the Asian Badminton Championships.
The duo created history in 2011 when they became the first Indian badminton players pair and women to win a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships.
Jwala Gutta: Famous Badminton Players of India
Jwala Gutta is one of the best and the most famous Indian badminton players in the doubles category. This power-packed athlete has clinched a lot of Indian and international medals under her belt.
Truly her shining star, her achievements include a gold medal in doubles in Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010, a silver medal in mixed doubles in Delhi Games 2010, a bronze medal in London BWF World Championship 2011, and a silver medal in 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Jwala was a top-class athlete right from her teenage years. She lifted the Junior National Championship at the age of 17 and there was no looking back after that. Jwala teamed up with Shruti Kurien to win the Doubles National Title for seven years in a row, from 2002 to 2008.
Aparna Popat: Famous Badminton Players of India
Another prominent and famous Indian badminton player is Aparna Popat. She holds the record for winning the National Senior Women’s Badminton title for the highest number of times consecutively. She has also excelled in several international badminton championships.
In her strong presence at the International badminton arena, Aparna won a silver at the World Junior Badminton Championship. She secured a Silver medal again at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games (1998).
In that same year, she formed a new record by becoming the first Indian female player to win the French Open title. She won a Bronze at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games and reached the Semi-Final round of the Swedish Open Badminton Tournament.
Aparna has also received Arjuna Award for her outstanding contribution to the Indian Badminton fraternity.
Srikanth Kidambi: Famous Badminton Players of India
This famous Indian badminton player from Andhra Pradesh is currently one of the top badminton players in India.
He was the highest prize money winner in 2017, eclipsing even Lee Chong Wei and Tai Tzu Ying. Kidambi has won plenty of honors for India, including Gold Coast Gold (mixed event), and Silver in the same competition’s singles event among plenty of BWF titles. He is coached by the legendary coach, Pullela Gopichand.
In the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Kidambi Srikanth finishes on the podium with a bronze medal after defeating Singapore’s Jia Heng Teh in a straight set.
An Arjuna award recipient, Kidambi was also World No. 1 in BFI rankings in April this year. Kidambi Srikanth is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award.
Saina Nehwal: Famous Badminton Players of India
Saina Nehwal is one of the most celebrated and famous Indian badminton players. Saina has worked quite a long way in her Indian badminton journey at the national and international levels.
She began winning tournaments right from the year 2004. She won the junior badminton championship in 2004 and later again in 2005. Saina was India’s first shuttler to win a medal at the Olympics. She has been world no. 1, and the only Indian woman to reach the landmark. Saina has over 24 international titles to her name. Off the 24, 10 are Superseries titles. Saina is an eminent athlete who has given an immense contribution to making the sport of Badminton quite popular in the country.
With countless accolades to her name, Saina has also been a recipient of the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
PV Sindhu: Famous Badminton Players of India
PV Sindhu is the shining star of Indian Badminton. In 2016, she became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal, and 2nd the Indian badminton player to ever win an Olympic medal after Saina Nehwal. Sindhu then went on to win silver in Women’s singles at Commonwealth Games 2018. In addition to that, she also won a silver medal at the BWF World Championships in 2017 and 2018.
PV Sindhu scripted history on 25th August 2019 by becoming the first Indian shuttler to clinch the badminton World Championships by defeating Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara in a one-sided final in Basel, Switzerland. PV Sindhu won her first CWG gold medal in women’s singles after beating Michelle Li of Canada in the final at Birmingham CWG 2022.
In July 2022, this Indian badminton star won the women’s singles title at the Singapore Open 2022 BWF Super 500 tournament after defeating Chinese shuttler Wang Zhi Yi in the final.
This badminton powerhouse is growing leaps and bounds in her career. Sindhu is also a recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Arjuna Award.
Lakshya Sen: Famous Badminton Players of India
Lakshya Sen is an Indian badminton player who chiefly competes in the singles category. Sen was born in Uttarakhand’s city of Almora in a badminton family. He first came to prominence in 2016, where he had a successful junior badminton circuit. Sen has time and again, demonstrated sparks that he could be India’s next World No. 1 after Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand. Lakshya Sen defeated Malaysia’s Tze Young NG by 19-21 21-9 21-16 and won the gold medal in badminton men’s singles at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
Also Read | 6 Major Badminton Tournaments In India
Pullela Gopichand
There is one commonality in the success of the ace badminton shuttlers of India – PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, and that is their coach Pullela Gopichand. This quiet yet passionate being has single-handedly produced some world-class athletes.
This former badminton player who made his international badminton debut in 1991 has many accolades to his name. His sporting achievements include winning an individual bronze and silver in the team event, at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. Gopi’s best result was winning the 2001 All England Open Badminton Championship.
Owning a lot of injuries, this famous Indian badminton player took retirement from Indian Badminton quite early. Gopichand owns an international badminton academy in Hyderabad and coaches top and famous Indian badminton players under his wing. He is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Dronacharya Award.
Prakash Padukone
Prakash Padukone is a grand legend of a grand game. This top Indian badminton player was the 1st Indian to win the All England Championships title. As a result of sheer grit, determination, and passion, the former World No. 1, had won the gold medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and also claimed the Danish Open and the Swedish Open.
He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982 by the Government of India.
Former Indian shuttler Prakash Padukone was also conferred with the Badminton Association of India’s (BAI) 1st Lifetime Achievement Award. After the match, he was quoted as saying, “Don’t say what badminton can give you, and instead ask what you can do for badminton.”
Read More | Badminton in India – Looking back at the History, Skills of badminton & More
FAQ
Prakash Padukone is a former Indian badminton player and is considered the father of Badminton in India. He was ranked World No. 1 in 1980 and the same year he became the first Indian to win the All-England Open Badminton Championships.
China is the top performing country in different Badminton Championships. Since 1977, they have showcased some tremendous performances in badminton.
The Chinese National Badminton Team is the most successful badminton team in history, numerous Thomas Cups, Uber Cups, and Sudirman Cups.
Nandu Natekar is considered the “God of Badminton”, Nandu Natekar was one of the most popular and prominent figures in the history of Badminton. In his 15-year career in Badminton, he managed to win over 100 national and international titles.
