Commonwealth Games 2018: Know your opponents - Who could upset India in badminton

Until a few years back, Indian badminton was all about one Saina Nehwal. But today, it's almost like that definition has ceased to exist.

Today India has not one, not two but several stars in the field. From Rio Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu to World No. 2 Kidambi Srikanth, from the vastly experienced Saina to 17-year-old youngster Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, India's badminton pool is one of the bests in the world. And at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the 10-member contingent is quite obviously the strongest.

While the expectations are high, as Sindhu said, competition-wise, the Commonwealth Games are not as easy as people generally think.

Here, we will take a look at who can challenge the Indian shuttlers in Gold Coast in the three different events.

Mixed Team Event

Being the top seeds, India are, of course, favourites in the mixed team event, which will kickoff the badminton schedule in Gold Coast.

In the group stage, they have been pooled alongside Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Scotland. Of them, realistically, only Scotland can give some competition to the Indian shuttlers. Kristy Gilmour, 2014 Glasgow Games silver medallist, will be headlining Scotland's charge, while men's doubles pair of Alexander Dunn and Adam Hall will look to cause an upset or two. However, India should not have any problem whatsoever in breezing past them.

Looking at the other teams, second seeds Malaysia are the only country who have the arsenal to beat India in the mixed team event while Canada are the dark horse. Having bagged the gold medal from the team event in the last three editions of the CWG, Malaysia will be looking to extend their run. But given the form of the Indian shuttlers, of late, anything less than a silver will be a disappointment.

Singles Event

Srikanth Kidambi

In women's singles, India have two of the stalwarts in the game, PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal. While Saina has already tasted the gold medal, having won the yellow metal in the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games, Sindhu had to settle for bronze in her first appearance at the Games.

This time, though, given her recent form, World No 3 Sindhu goes to Gold Coast as the outright favourite to bag the gold. Her only competition could be from fellow compatriot Saina, defending champion Michelle Li from Canada and Scotland’s Gilmour. Malaysia's Goh Jin Wei and Sonia Cheah might also provide a stiff challenge.

Moving on to men's singles, World No 6 Lee Chong Wei is the only top-20 player in the draw apart from Srikanth and HS Prannoy. Chong Wei, who recently made it to the quarter-finals of the All England Open, will be taking part in what will be his last CWG and will look to take home the top prize. England's Rajiv Ouseph, also, will be a dark horse.

Doubles Event

Satwik and Chirag

In women's doubles, India will be represented by N Sikki Reddy and Ashwini Ponnappa, who, alongside Jwala Gutta has two medals (1 gold, 1 bronze) at CWG. Malaysian pair of Chow Mei Kuan and Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and Australian pair of Setyana Mapasa and Gronya Somerville will be the pairs to beat for the Indian duo.

India have never won a CWG medal in men's doubles or mixed doubles. However, this time around, with Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy displaying superb form, that statistic could change. Malaysia's Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong are the favourites to win the gold while England's Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge also have an outside to spoil India's party.

In mixed doubles, two Indian pairs will be in action, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and Sikki Reddy and Satwik and Ponnappa. Malaysia's Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Jemie Lai, though, are the top draw in the category while England's Ben Lane and Jessica Pugh are also likely contenders.