Badminton is not part of the Commonwealth Games program this year, since Glasgow 2026 trimmed its sports list to keep the event compact. That means PV Sindhu’s story in 2026 is being written on the regular international badminton circuit instead, and it has been an eventful year so far.
A Strong Start to 2026
The two-time Olympic medallist has looked sharp for much of the season. At the Singapore Open, a BWF Super 750 event, Sindhu beat world number six Putri Kusuma Wardani in her opening match before defeating Japan’s world number 19 Riko Gunji in straight games to reach the quarterfinals. That set up a tough test against Olympic champion and world number one An Se-young, a matchup Sindhu has historically struggled against.
A Tough Test Against the World’s Best
Facing An Se-young remains one of the toughest challenges in women’s singles badminton, and Sindhu’s head-to-head record against the South Korean has been difficult. Even so, reaching that stage of a Super 750 event shows Sindhu remains competitive against the sport’s very best, even as younger players push for ranking points across the calendar.
Recent Results
More recently, Sindhu’s campaign at the China Open ended in disappointment with a defeat to China’s Chen Yufei, a reminder that results at the top of women’s singles can swing quickly against elite opposition. Despite the setback, Sindhu continues to hold a place among the world’s top players and remains a fixture at every major tournament.
What’s Next for Sindhu
Sindhu is confirmed to lead India’s challenge at the BWF World Championships 2026, being held on home soil in New Delhi from August 17 to 23. Securing her spot as India’s host representative under BWF qualification rules, she will look to add another major medal to a career that already includes a world title from 2019 and two World Championship silvers.
Why Fans Should Keep Watching
With badminton absent from the Commonwealth Games this year, tournaments like the India Open, Singapore Open, Badminton Asia Championships, and the upcoming home World Championships are where PV Sindhu’s 2026 legacy is being shaped. For Indian badminton fans, the road to New Delhi in August is the next big story to follow.
Related Reading
– Lakshya Sen’s 2026 Season: Every Big Result So Far
– Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s 2026 Season So Far
– India’s Greatest Commonwealth Games Badminton Players