MUMBAI, Oct 9: Indian badminton legend Prakash Padukone has expressed disappointment over the country’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games, saying the team had enough talent and support to achieve a better medal tally at the continental competition.
Padukone said India’s leading shuttlers needed to demonstrate greater consistency and make better use of the opportunities available to them. While he acknowledged the demands of the international calendar, he maintained that the results in Japan fell short of expectations.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Mumbai, the former All England champion said India should have at least matched its medal tally from the previous Asian Games, if not improved on it. He also cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions about the condition of Indian badminton on the basis of a single tournament.
The remarks come after India’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games ended without the results many supporters had hoped for. The country’s badminton contingent had entered the competition with expectations shaped by the progress of its leading singles players and doubles combinations on the international circuit.
However, the team struggled to convert its potential into medals, raising questions about its ability to produce consistent performances at major multi-sport events.
Padukone’s assessment focuses on a central challenge facing Indian badminton: maintaining high standards across a demanding season rather than relying on occasional victories. International badminton involves frequent tournaments against opponents with different playing styles, and athletes must manage their physical condition, tactical preparation and mental approach over extended periods.
According to Padukone, the issue is not necessarily a lack of support. He said the players receive substantial backing and should be capable of delivering more consistent results, even if winning every tournament is unrealistic.
His argument centres on the importance of reaching the latter stages of competitions. Consistently making quarter-finals and semi-finals would give Indian players more opportunities to challenge for titles and demonstrate that they can compete against the strongest opponents over time.
The former champion also suggested that players should identify four or five important tournaments during the year and plan their preparation to reach peak form at those events. Such an approach would require careful scheduling, recovery and a clear understanding of which competitions offer the greatest opportunities for success.
The international badminton calendar places considerable demands on athletes. Players frequently travel across countries and time zones, face different court conditions and compete against opponents who study their strengths and weaknesses. Without effective planning, fatigue can affect movement, decision-making and the ability to maintain performance across successive matches.
A carefully structured season can help players balance competitive opportunities with physical recovery. Rather than attempting to reach peak form at every event, athletes and coaches can identify priority competitions while using other tournaments to develop match sharpness, test tactical adjustments and build confidence.
Padukone’s comments suggest that India’s leading players could benefit from a more deliberate approach to tournament planning. The aim would not be to reduce ambition but to ensure that preparation is directed towards competitions where athletes have the best chance of producing their strongest performances.
The Asian Games disappointment also places attention on the performance of India’s established names. Players such as Lakshya Sen and the country’s leading doubles combinations have experienced success at international level, but maintaining that standard across different events remains a significant challenge.
Padukone singled out Olympic medallist PV Sindhu as an example of the attitude he wants other players to demonstrate. He praised her continued motivation and desire to win despite having already collected numerous medals during her career.
Sindhu’s approach, he said, showed that past achievements should not reduce an athlete’s appetite for improvement. The former champion believes that the same determination should be visible among younger players and doubles specialists as they pursue success on the international circuit.
Sindhu has established herself as one of India’s most successful badminton players, earning major international honours and helping raise the profile of the sport. Her career illustrates the importance of sustaining motivation after reaching the top level, when opponents become increasingly familiar with a player’s style and expectations grow.
For emerging players, the challenge is to develop the same discipline while building their own competitive identity. International success depends on more than technical ability. Players must learn to respond to difficult match situations, recover from defeats and maintain concentration when facing opponents who exploit even small weaknesses.
Doubles badminton presents additional demands because success depends on coordination, communication and shared tactical decisions. Partnerships must develop an understanding of positioning, shot selection and the division of responsibilities during fast exchanges.
Padukone’s call for greater consistency therefore applies not only to individual players but also to partnerships and the wider system supporting them. Doubles pairs need time to build familiarity, while coaches must identify combinations that can compete effectively against leading international teams.
The Asian Games results also underline the importance of evaluating performance over a longer period. A disappointing tournament can expose weaknesses, but it should be followed by a detailed review of match outcomes, preparation methods and the quality of opposition.
Coaches and players can use such assessments to identify recurring problems, including slow starts, unforced errors, difficulty closing out games or an inability to adapt when an opponent changes tactics. Addressing these details can make the difference between a promising performance and a deep run in a major competition.
The review process should also recognise the physical demands placed on athletes. Badminton requires explosive movement, rapid changes of direction and repeated high-intensity rallies. Strength and conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition, sleep and recovery all influence a player’s ability to perform consistently.
Mental preparation is equally important. Players must remain composed after losing a close game, recover quickly from mistakes and make tactical decisions under pressure. At the highest level, the ability to manage critical points often separates those who progress from those who exit early.
India’s badminton programme has benefited from the growth of coaching facilities, professional competition and increased exposure to international events. The next challenge is to translate those opportunities into more reliable results at the biggest tournaments.
Padukone’s remarks do not suggest that Indian badminton lacks potential. Instead, they highlight the gap that can emerge between the quality of available talent and the results achieved when expectations are high. Bridging that gap requires sustained effort from athletes, coaches, support staff and administrators.
A key priority will be to establish realistic performance targets for each major event. Those targets should reflect the strength of the draw, recent form, fitness and the level of international competition. Regular reviews can then help determine whether preparation is producing the intended improvements.
The sport also needs to ensure that younger players receive opportunities to compete against experienced international opponents. Exposure to high-pressure matches can help them develop tactical awareness and the confidence required to perform consistently at senior level.
At the same time, experienced athletes can provide valuable guidance by sharing their knowledge of preparation, match management and recovery. A strong development system combines the energy of emerging talent with the experience of established competitors.
The Asian Games campaign has consequently become an opportunity for reflection rather than simply a disappointing result to move beyond. India’s badminton community can use the experience to assess whether players are peaking at the right time, whether training plans match the demands of major tournaments and whether doubles combinations have sufficient stability.
Padukone’s advice to prioritise key events offers one possible direction. By selecting important tournaments and planning their training cycles around them, players may be better positioned to deliver strong performances when medals and major titles are at stake.
However, consistency cannot be built through scheduling alone. It also requires regular technical improvement, strong competitive habits and the willingness to address weaknesses exposed during defeats. Players must continue developing their games as opponents adapt to their strengths.
India’s future prospects will depend on how effectively these lessons are put into practice. The country’s leading shuttlers have demonstrated that they can challenge the best in the world, but repeating those performances across a season remains essential for long-term success.
Padukone’s comments serve as a reminder that international support and talent must be matched by preparation, discipline and reliable execution. For Indian badminton, the objective now is to turn disappointment at the Asian Games into a stronger and more consistent showing at upcoming tournaments.