Prannoy, seeded fourth, made light work of debutant sensation Karan Sharma, prevailing 21-14, 21-16 in a brisk 28-minute affair. His deceptive drop shots and powerful jumpsmashes overwhelmed the 18-year-old, who struggled to find rhythm against the seasoned campaigner’s variations.

Srikanth, meanwhile, survived a scare against 21-year-old Vikram Singh, clinching a 21-19, 18-21, 21-17 marathon. The see-saw contest featured stunning rallies and acrobatic dives, with Srikanth’s superior fitness proving decisive in the final game. ‘It’s great to see our youngsters pushing us; it keeps us sharp,’ the 32-year-old reflected.

Hosted at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, this BWF Super 750 tournament draws elite competition from 30 nations. Prannoy’s fluent performance erases doubts over his knee recovery, positioning him as a title dark horse. Srikanth, seeking consistency post his 2023 slump, gains momentum ahead of majors like the Asian Championships.

Beyond the headliners, under-21 prospects like Yashaswi and Niraj also notched upsets, blending generations seamlessly. Tournament director Pullela Gopichand praised the ‘healthy rivalry.’ With double champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty eyeing glory in doubles, India Open 2026 emerges as a pivotal event shaping Olympic preparations. Expect intensified battles as the main draw unfolds.