When we talk about professional badminton, one thing that comes to mind is speed. This racket sport requires players to have exceptional reflexes, agility, and stamina to keep up with the fast pace of the game. As badminton is set to be played at the Paris Olympics 2024, players must be prepared with the best equipment and composition to represent their nation.
From rackets engineered for speed and control to shoes designed for optimal support and agility, top players invest in gear that enhances their performance on the court. Let’s delve into the equipment choices of some of India’s leading badminton stars—PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and the doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty—highlighting the costs of their preferred rackets and shoes.
PV Sindhu
Two-time Olympic medal winner PV Sindhu is currently sponsored by Li-Ning. Various sources suggest that she uses the Li-Ning Axforce 80. It costs around ₹14,000 to ₹15,000. Additionally, Sindhu uses the Li-Ning Gyrfalcon V Professional Badminton Shoes, which are priced at approximately ₹15,000. These high-end equipment choices reflect her elite status in the sport and her need for top-quality gear to maintain her competitive edge.
Lakshya Sen
Lakshya Sen, another prominent Indian badminton player, according to sources, uses the Yonex Nanoflare 1000 Z racket. According to Yonex’s official website and various badminton news sources, this racket is valued between ₹16,990 and ₹20,000. It is renowned for its emphasis on speed and manoeuvrability, perfectly suiting Sen’s aggressive playing style. In terms of footwear, Sen prefers the Yonex Power Cushion 65 Z3, which costs around ₹9,500 to ₹10,000.
HS Prannoy
HS Prannoy is different when it comes to his choice of equipment, as he is sponsored by Victor rather than the more common Yonex or Li-Ning brands. According to sources He uses the Victor Auraspeed Hypersonic Plus (ARS-HS Plus) racket, which is priced at ₹14,320 according to the official website. However, there is limited information available about the specific shoes Prannoy uses.
Satwik-Chirag
The Indian men’s doubles pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, both are sponsored by Yonex. They use different racket models tailored to their playing styles. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, known for his powerful smashes and net play, uses the Yonex Duora Z-Strike racket, which costs around ₹12,000 to ₹13,000. Chirag Shetty, who plays a more balanced and all-around game, recently switched to the Yonex Astrox 88D Pro racket, priced at approximately ₹13,000.
Both players also favour the Yonex Power Cushion 65Z3 shoes, which are priced between ₹9,500 and ₹10,000. These choices highlight their preference for equipment that supports their dynamic and versatile playing styles, enabling them to excel in international competitions.
