Badminton
BWF World C'ships Day 1: Ayush Shetty stuns world No. 1, PV Sindhu wins -Highlights
Catch all the highlights from the first day of the BWF World Championships in New Delhi, India, on Monday.
Ayush Shetty and PV Sindhu begin their campaign at 2026 BWF World Chamionships. (Photo Credits: BAI)
India is hosting the BWF World Championships for the first time in 17 years, and it started with the preliminary round at IG Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
There were five Indian matches on the opening day, with PV Sindhu, Ayush Shetty, Treesa/Gayatri, Hariharan/Arjun and Kavipriya/ Simran in action.
Five-time world Medalist PV Sindhu began her campaign with a comfortable win against a much lower-ranked Irish shuttler, Sophia Noble, in the women's singles round of 64.
Meanwhile, the most exciting match of the day was between Ayush Shetty and defending champion China's Shi Yu Qi in the men's singles round of 64.
As it happened:
Live Updates
- 17 Aug 2026 7:09 PM IST
Ayush is gaining momentum and has now extend his lead to nine points
Game 3: Ayush Shetty 14-5 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
- 17 Aug 2026 7:08 PM IST
Shi Yuqi misses the diagonal smash; Ayush enters the final mid-game with a massive lead
Game 3: Ayush Shetty 11-5 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
Shi Yuqi looked under pressure and made plenty of errors on the sideline, allowing Ayush to move towards an upset victory and and goes to the far end with a massive lead.
- 17 Aug 2026 7:05 PM IST
Ayush Shetty showing some good attacking shots to further extand his lead
Game 3: Ayush Shetty 9-4 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
- 17 Aug 2026 7:03 PM IST
Ayush wins three points on the trot to gain a good lead
Game 3: Ayush Shetty 6-3 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
- 17 Aug 2026 7:00 PM IST
A brilliant down-the-line smash from Shetty catches Shi off guard
Game 3: Ayush Shetty 3-2 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
- 17 Aug 2026 6:56 PM IST
Shi Yuqi forces a decider with a string of points in the final moments of the second game
Game 2: Ayush Shetty 13-21 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
Shi Yuqi improved his flat shots to challenge the drift, troubling the young Indian to find those defensive blocks, and eventually the world No. 1 prevailed.
- 17 Aug 2026 6:52 PM IST
Ayush misjudged a back-court placement; still trails by 4
Game 2: Ayush Shetty 12-16 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
The Chinese shuttler is showcasing his quality and is challenging Ayush to play deep shots, which are tough for him to play from the far side, which has a good drift.
- 17 Aug 2026 6:49 PM IST
Two back-to-back unforced errors from Ayush as Shi extends his lead
Game 2: Ayush Shetty 10-14 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
- 17 Aug 2026 6:47 PM IST
A marginal 2-point lead for Shi Yuqi at the second mid-game break.
Game 2: Ayush Shetty 9-11 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
Shi Yuqi is trying to force a decider, but Ayush is not making it easy for him, finding some great attacking shots, using his long reach and keeping the deficit in touch.
- 17 Aug 2026 6:44 PM IST
The second game is much more closer as drift is playing its part
Game 2: Ayush Shetty 8-8 Shi Yuqi (CHN)
Ayush is not able to find cheeky drop shots because of the drift, and the game is going much closer.
