Overview
Kidambi Srikanth is an Indian professional badminton player from Andhra Pradesh known for his attacking style of play and powerful smashes. He rose to international prominence in the mid-2010s, becoming the first Indian male shuttler to reach the final of the BWF World Championships, which he achieved in 2021. In April 2018, he became the first Indian man to attain the World No. 1 ranking in the BWF singles rankings.
Key Facts
| Full name | Kidambi Srikanth Nammalwar |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 February 1993 |
| Birthplace | Ravulapalem, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Sport | Badminton |
| Event | Men's singles |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Coaches | Pullela Gopichand (long-time mentor) |
| Training base | Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, Hyderabad |
| Highest ranking | World No. 1 (April 2018) |
| Major honours | Padma Shri (2018), Arjuna Award (2016) |
| Elder brother | Kidambi Nandagopal (also a badminton player) |
Background
Srikanth was born on 7 February 1993 in Ravulapalem, a town in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. He was introduced to badminton through his elder brother, Kidambi Nandagopal, himself a competitive player. Srikanth shifted to Hyderabad in his teens to train under former All England champion Pullela Gopichand at the Gopichand Academy, which had become the principal incubator of Indian badminton talent.
Career
Early career
Srikanth came to prominence on the junior circuit before transitioning to senior international events. He won his first major senior title at the 2013 Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold, signalling his arrival on the world stage.
Breakthrough: 2014
In 2014, Srikanth captured the China Open Super Series Premier title, defeating five-time world champion and Olympic gold medallist Lin Dan in the final in Fuzhou. This victory established him among the top contenders in world badminton.
2015–2016
He won the India Open Super Series in 2015, becoming the first Indian man to claim the title. He represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where he reached the quarterfinals before losing to eventual gold medallist Lin Dan. He was conferred the Arjuna Award in 2016.
2017: Four Super Series titles
2017 was the most successful season of Srikanth's career. He won four BWF Super Series titles in a single year — the Indonesia Open, Australian Open, Denmark Open, and French Open — a feat unmatched by any other Indian shuttler. He also finished runner-up at the Singapore Open the same year.
World No. 1
On 12 April 2018, Srikanth ascended to the top of the BWF men's singles world rankings, becoming the first Indian male and only the second Indian after Saina Nehwal to achieve the feat. The same year, he won a silver medal in men's singles and a gold in the mixed team event at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
2021 World Championships
At the BWF World Championships held in Huelva, Spain, in December 2021, Srikanth became the first Indian male singles player to reach the final, defeating compatriot Lakshya Sen in the semifinals. He lost the final to Loh Kean Yew of Singapore and finished with a silver medal — the best ever result by an Indian man at the tournament.
Team competitions
Srikanth was part of the Indian squad that won the Thomas Cup for the first time in 2022, defeating 14-time champions Indonesia in the final at Bangkok. He won his singles match in the final, contributing decisively to India's historic triumph.
Playing Style
Srikanth is recognised for an aggressive, front-court attacking game built around fast footwork, a steep jump smash, and deceptive net play. His ability to dictate rallies on a quick court has made him particularly effective against taller, defensive opponents.
Honours and Awards
- Padma Shri — 2018, India's fourth-highest civilian honour
- Arjuna Award — 2016
- BWF World Championships silver medal — 2021
- Commonwealth Games men's singles silver and mixed team gold — 2018
- Thomas Cup gold — 2022 (team)
- Asian Games men's team bronze — 2018
Significance
Srikanth's rise marked a turning point in Indian men's singles badminton, a discipline historically dominated by women players such as Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu in terms of global achievement. His four Super Series titles in 2017, ascent to World No. 1, and World Championships final are landmarks that have inspired a new generation of Indian male shuttlers, including Lakshya Sen and H. S. Prannoy.
Related Topics
- Pullela Gopichand
- Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy
- Badminton in India
- P. V. Sindhu
- Saina Nehwal
- Lakshya Sen
- H. S. Prannoy
- Thomas Cup
- BWF World Championships
- Badminton Association of India
References
- Badminton World Federation (BWF) player profile and rankings archive.
- Badminton Association of India official records.
- Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs — Padma Awards announcements, 2018.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — National Sports Awards lists.