India Open update: More players pull out of the tournament

The much-awaited HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 Yonex-Sunrise India Open kicks off on 11th January.

The Badminton Association of India took to social media on Sunday to announce that B. Sai Praneeth and Dhruv Rawat have withdrawn from the upcoming tournament as they have tested COVID positive. The organizers conducted COVID tests of all players on Sunday morning at the team hotel.

Sai Praneeth was seeded second in the men’s singles category. Dhruv Rawat was paired along with Shika Gautam in the mixed doubles competition.

A few days back the entire England badminton team pulled out due to rising COVID conditions in India. The England men’s doubles duo Ben Lane and Sean Vendy also pulled out as Sean Vendy and coach Nathan Robertson tested positive for COVID.

Ben Lane informed his fans via Twitter.

"No India Open this year for myself and @SeanVendy after he returned a positive covid test along with our coach @Nath_Robertson," Lane tweeted.

Lane and Vendy were seeded fourth in the men's doubles category.

BAI is taking the utmost care in organizing the India Open which will be held in the national capital between 11th to 16th January. India Open is a Super 500 event and carries USD 400,000 in prize money.