The Badminton World Championships 2026 delivered a day of contrasting fortunes for India's top shuttlers. While PV Sindhu and Ayush Shetty booked their places in the Round of 16, home favourite Lakshya Sen suffered a shock exit from the tournament.

Sindhu and Shetty March Into Round of 16

PV Sindhu continued her campaign at the championships with a strong performance to advance to the Round of 16. Joining her in the next round is Ayush Shetty, who also progressed, keeping India's hopes alive in the competition.

Lakshya Sen Stunned by World No. 92

In the biggest upset of the day, Lakshya Sen was knocked out of the tournament. The Indian Express reported that world No. 92 stunned the home favourite, bringing Sen's campaign to a premature end. The result came as a surprise, particularly after Sen had shown resilience earlier in the competition.

Sen's Earlier Escape

Sen had previously survived a first-round scare, with ESPN describing how the 'superstar' overcame drift and nerves to stay alive in the tournament. The Hindu also reported that Sen bounced back to surmount Filimon's challenge in an earlier round. However, he could not replicate that escape act this time.

What Lies Ahead

With Sindhu and Shetty through to the Round of 16, Indian fans will now pin their hopes on the duo as the Badminton World Championships 2026 moves into its decisive stages.