New Delhi: Fifty days from now, the world’s best badminton players will enter New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi (IG) Indoor Stadium for the BWF World Championships from August 17-23, returning to Indian soil for the first time since Hyderabad hosted the event in 2009. For the country’s badminton, this is more than just another big tournament. It is a celebration of an amazing journey.Seventeen years ago, when Hyderabad held the Worlds, Indian badminton mainly revolved around one name – Saina Nehwal. Olympic medals were still a dream, world titles seemed far away even for the 14-year-old PV Sindhu he was being taught quietly at the Pullela Gopichand academy.Few could have predicted the evolution that would follow.The feat came in 2011 when Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the women’s doubles bronze, ending India’s 28-year wait for an international medal. It was a result that changed minds and signaled the arrival of a new force in international badminton.Then came major events in quick succession. Saina became India’s first silver medalist at the Worlds and the first women’s world No. 1. Sindhu took Indian badminton to a whole new level, winning five Worlds medals before making history in Basel in 2019 as the first world champion.But India’s rise was no longer about one or two stars.Kidambi Srikanth reached the World No. 1, Lakshya Sen took the Worlds bronze, HS Prannoy joined the podium in 2023, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy is Chirag Shetty emerged as one of the world’s most successful doubles teams. The biggest achievement came in 2022 when India lifted the Thomas Cup, becoming the sixth nation to win the prestigious title.The numbers tell the story of this transformation: since 2011, India has won 14 Worlds medals and finished on the podium in every event until 2025 – an astonishing 11 tournaments.For Sindhu, the return of the Worlds to India has a special meaning. “Some of my most memorable moments and my best achievements have come during this time,” he told TOI. “Hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a historic moment and a reflection of how far the sport has come in our country.”Sen believes that competing at home brings a certain strength. “Indian badminton has grown tremendously over the years and hosting the Worlds after 17 years is a proud moment for everyone associated with the sport,” he said. For young Ayush Shetty, set to make his Worlds debut, this event is a dream come true. “Growing up, the Worlds was one of the games that I always looked forward to watching. Like every boy who plays badminton, I dreamed of one day to have the opportunity to compete on that stage. To make my debut at the Worlds, and to do so when India is hosting the event after 17 years, is very surprising,” he said.Ponnappa, who featured in the 2009 edition and later became part of India’s historic bronze medal in 2011, feels that this event marks a turning point in the sport. “Badminton in India has grown tremendously since then. It is a great opportunity for our players and a special occasion for the fans to watch the best tournament in the world at home,” he said.Prannoy, who fondly remembers watching the sports stars in Hyderabad in 2009, hopes New Delhi inspires the next generation. “I am sure that this year’s Worlds will give young players a good experience and get many of them thinking about playing the sport,” he said.ON THE SON— 14World Championships medals won by India (2011-2025)— 11Consecutive editions of only one Indian medal (2011-2025)— 1World ChampionPV Sindhu (2019) – India’s first and only international champion.— 3India’s No. 1 countrySaina Nehwal (Women’s Singles)Kidambi Srikanth (Men’s Singles)Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty (Men’s Doubles)— 2011A remarkable year for Indian badmintonJwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa won the women’s doubles bronze, ending India’s 28-year wait for a World Championship medal.— 18 YEARS OLDSindhu became India’s last World Championship medalist(Bronze, 2013)— 31 YEARS OLDHS Prannoy became India’s oldest World Championship medalist(Copper, 2023)–17 YEARS OLDThe World Championships will return to India after a 17-year waitFrom Hyderabad 2009 to New Delhi 2026