BWF World Junior Championships 2026: Tanvi Patri, Shaina Manimuthu lead India amid the 3x55 format revolution

India have named an 18-member squad for the 2026 BWF World Junior Championships in Cairo, with Tanvi Patri and Shaina Manimuthu leading the girls' singles charge. The team event, the Suhandinata Cup, runs from October 5 to 10; the individual Eye Level Cups follow from October 11 to 17. The championships will feature experimental scoring formats: a 3x55 relay system for team ties and a 3x15 system for individual matches, both approved by the BWF Council. India are seeded fifth in the team event and open in Group D1 against Peru and Brazil. A likely playoff against Indonesia, seeded ninth, waits in the path to the quarterfinals. Tanvi Patri is the reigning Asian U17 champion; Shaina Manimuthu finished runner-up at the 2026 Badminton Asia Junior Championships. The squad was selected through open trials held September 18-21, followed by a dedicated World Junior Camp at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati from September 25 to October 2. Returning team medallists Aanya Bisht and Angel Punera provide continuity in the women's doubles, while Yogansh Singh and Aanya Bisht are named in two events each. The new scoring systems raise upset potential and place a premium on preparation and load management. India's real test will be adapting to the format changes away from home.