Lakshya Sen, Unnati Hooda spearhead Indian challenge on Day 2 of BWF World Championships

New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi is set to host an action-packed second day of the BWF World Championships on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. Home crowd favourites Lakshya Sen and Unnati Hooda will take to Court 1 as India aims to capitalise on its strong start to the tournament.

14th seed Lakshya Sen will begin his men's singles campaign against Austria's Collins Valentine Filimon. The highly anticipated Round of 64 encounter is slated for approximately 6:10 pm IST. Sen, a formidable presence in the men's circuit, will look to maintain the momentum established on the opening day, when compatriot Ayush Shetty secured a monumental upset against world number one and defending champion Shi Yu Qi of China.

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Earlier in the day, teenage sensation Unnati Hooda is scheduled to compete in her women's singles Round of 64 match. Hooda will face Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzar at around 12:20 pm IST on Court 1. The young shuttler is eager to make a strong impression on home soil in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive draw.

The Indian presence extends well beyond the singles categories, with several doubles pairs featuring prominently throughout the day.

In the women's doubles draw, India has two crucial fixtures lined up. Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi face a stern test against the ninth-seeded Bulgarian pair of Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva at 4:30 pm. Shortly after, the prominent duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela will take on the American team of Lauren Lam and Allison Quynh Lee at approximately 5:20 pm.

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With an electric home crowd backing them, Day 2 promises to be a pivotal moment for the Indian contingent. The performances of Sen, Hooda, and the doubles pairs will be crucial as the nation seeks to deliver a historic triumph in New Delhi.