Former world No.1 Kidambi Srikanth has come out strongly in support of the India Open, urging players and fans to view the tournament’s playing conditions with balance and perspective. His comments follow criticism from Denmark’s Mia Blichfeldt, who raised concerns about the facilities at the Indira Gandhi Stadium complex in New Delhi, calling the surroundings “unhealthy” and seeking intervention from the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Srikanth, however, made it clear that his experience at the venue has been largely positive. After securing a hard-fought first-round win against fellow Indian Tharun Mannepalli, the 2021 World Championships silver medallist said he did not relate to the strong reactions circulating around the tournament.
“Every Country Has Its Own Challenge,” Says Srikanth
Addressing the issue, Srikanth stressed that varying playing conditions are a normal part of international badminton. According to him, no venue is perfect, and players regularly adapt to different environments across the tour.
“I don’t know, see every country has its own conditions,” Srikanth said. He explained that challenges differ depending on location, whether it is shuttle drift, hall speed, or external factors. Drawing from his extensive international experience, he added that Singapore is known for heavy drift, Malaysia slightly less so, while Indonesia previously had a fast and compact setup before renovations.
His message was clear: adapting to conditions is part of a professional player’s job, and issues are not unique to India.
Learning From Past Experiences on the Tour
To put things in perspective, Srikanth recalled incidents from tournaments held in Europe. He mentioned having to wait nearly an hour mid-match in Denmark due to a power failure and also referred to fellow Indian shuttler H.S. Prannoy’s match, where one set was played on one day and the next set had to be completed the following day.
“These things do happen,” Srikanth said, emphasizing that such disruptions are rare and unintentional. “Nobody does it deliberately.”
By highlighting these examples, Srikanth underlined that organisational challenges can arise anywhere in the world, even in countries with long-established badminton infrastructures.
PV Sindhu Backs the Venue as Well
Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu also shared a measured view on the matter. After completing her match, Sindhu said she found the facilities to be fine and did not notice any major issues during play.
Importantly, Sindhu pointed out that the India Open serves as a valuable test event, as the same venue is set to host the BWF World Championships later this year. From her perspective, this makes the tournament a useful trial run for players and organisers alike, offering an opportunity to identify and address any gaps well before the marquee event.
Mixed Reactions From International Players
While opinions have varied, not all international players echoed the criticism. France’s Christo Popov highlighted the importance of adjustment, suggesting that adapting quickly gives players a competitive edge. Meanwhile, world No.2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn spoke positively about the stadium, praising the overall setup.
Officials from the Badminton Association of India (BAI) have acknowledged the feedback and described the India Open as a learning step ahead of the World Championships. With months still to go before the global event, organisers have time to fine-tune arrangements based on player input.
A Call for Balance Ahead of the World Championships
Srikanth’s defence of the India Open brings a grounded perspective to the debate. Rather than dismissing concerns outright, his comments encourage a more balanced discussion—one that recognises both the challenges of hosting major international tournaments and the responsibility of players to adapt.
As India prepares to host the World Championships, the India Open has become more than just a regular tour event. It is a crucial rehearsal, offering lessons for organisers and athletes alike. If anything, the ongoing dialogue may help ensure that when the world’s best shuttlers return to New Delhi later this year, the spotlight remains firmly on badminton rather than off-court controversies.