Who among the following became the third Indian male badminton player to win the India Open singles title in January 2022?

Correct option is B

In January 2022, Lakshya Sen became the third Indian male badminton player to clinch the India Open men's singles title. He achieved this by defeating the reigning world champion, Loh Kean Yew, in the final with a scoreline of 24–22, 21–17. This victory marked Sen's maiden Super 500 title, highlighting his rising prominence in international badminton. Prior to Sen, Indian shuttlers who have won the India Open men's singles title include Srikanth Kidambi and Parupalli Kashyap. Sen's triumph not only added to India's accolades in badminton but also signaled the emergence of a new generation of talent poised to make significant impacts on the global stage.

Information Booster

• Lakshya Sen hails from Almora, Uttarakhand, and has been a prominent figure in Indian badminton since his junior days.
• The India Open is a prestigious badminton tournament that has been part of the BWF World Tour.
• Sen's victory in 2022 was significant as it came against Loh Kean Yew, the reigning world champion at that time.
• This win marked Sen's first Super 500 title, a notable achievement in the BWF tournament hierarchy.
• Prior to this, Indian shuttlers Srikanth Kidambi and Parupalli Kashyap had also won the India Open men's singles title.

Additional Knowledge

(a) Sameer Verma: An Indian badminton player known for his agility and skill, Sameer Verma has had a commendable career with multiple titles. He won the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships in 2017 and has been a consistent performer in national and international circuits. Despite his achievements, he has not clinched the India Open men's singles title.

(b) Lakshya Sen: Emerging as one of India's brightest badminton talents, Lakshya Sen's career has been on an upward trajectory. His victory at the 2022 India Open against world champion Loh Kean Yew was a testament to his skill and determination. This win not only earned him his first Super 500 title but also positioned him as a formidable contender in international badminton. Sen's playing style is characterized by swift movements and strategic shot placements, making him a challenging opponent on the court.

(c) Prannoy A Kumar: H.S. Prannoy is another prominent Indian badminton player known for his powerful smashes and fighting spirit. He has had significant victories in his career, including a notable win against Olympic champion Chen Long in the 2018 Indonesia Open. However, the India Open men's singles title has eluded him so far. Prannoy continues to be a vital player for India in team events and individual competitions.

(d) B. Sai Praneeth: Sai Praneeth has made his mark in badminton with a series of impressive performances. He won the Singapore Open in 2017, becoming the fourth Indian to win a Superseries title. In 2019, he secured a bronze medal at the BWF World Championships, ending a 36-year wait for India in men's singles at the event. Despite these achievements, the India Open title remains absent from his list of accolades.