‘Not sure if injured or it was a strategy’: Sindhu on Wang Zhi Yi after World Championships exit

PV Sindhu was left questioning whether Wang Zhi Yi’s apparent physical problems were genuine or part of a tactical approach after the Indian badminton star suffered a dramatic defeat at the BWF World Championships in New Delhi on Thursday. Sindhu’s bid for a record-extending sixth World Championships medal ended in the pre-quarterfinals after China’s third-seeded Wang prevailed 21-11, 15-21, 21-17 in a gruelling contest that lasted nearly 90 minutes at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Sindhu questions injury breaks

The deciding game produced considerable drama as Wang appeared to struggle with cramps and required attention during the closing stages. The interruptions came at a crucial point when Sindhu was attempting to build momentum and fight her way back into the contest. After the match, Sindhu said she could not be certain whether Wang was genuinely injured or whether the interruptions were being used strategically.

The Indian, however, stopped short of blaming the defeat entirely on her opponent’s physical problems. She acknowledged that she needed to remain more patient and composed during the decisive phase of the match.

Sindhu had recovered impressively after losing the opening game 11-21. She changed the momentum in the second, playing with greater aggression to take it 21-15 and force a decider.

The final game remained competitive before Wang managed to establish control in the closing exchanges. Sindhu continued to challenge but could not overturn the deficit, with the Chinese shuttler eventually closing out the match 21-17.

Sixth medal dream ends

The defeat ended Sindhu’s hopes of adding another medal to one of the most distinguished World Championships records in badminton.

The two-time Olympic medallist has won five World Championships medals, including gold in 2019, along with two silver and two bronze medals. She had entered the home tournament hoping to become the first women's singles player to win six medals at the championships.

Her exit was particularly disappointing given her recent improvement in form. Sindhu has enjoyed a stronger 2026 season following difficult periods marked by injuries and inconsistent results.

She also entered Thursday’s encounter knowing she could trouble Wang. Sindhu had defeated the Chinese player at the 2025 World Championships, producing one of her strongest performances of that season.

Sindhu rues missed chances

Despite raising questions about Wang’s interruptions, Sindhu conceded that her own decision-making in the final stages could have been better.

The 31-year-old felt she rushed some points instead of extending rallies and forcing her opponent to move, particularly when Wang appeared physically uncomfortable.

That assessment will leave Sindhu with a sense of missed opportunity after fighting back strongly from a one-game deficit in front of the home crowd.

Her defeat also brought India's challenge in women's singles to an end. For Sindhu, the immediate disappointment will be considerable, but her performance again demonstrated her ability to challenge the world's leading players on the biggest stage.

The lingering debate from the contest, however, will centre on Wang’s late physical struggles — and Sindhu’s uncertainty over whether they represented injury, gamesmanship or simply another tactical complication she needed to handle better.