# HS Prannoy slams Asian Games 2026 schedule as crazy

2026-09-26T10:27:09+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy has criticised the Asian Games 2026 scheduling after several Indian players were forced to play two singles matches on the same day. Prannoy posted on social media, calling the timetable 'crazy' and comparing it to a South Zone championships schedule. He noted that medal ceremonies for the team event went on until 11 pm, leaving many players with a first-round match the next day. Among the affected players, PV Sindhu, Ayush Shetty and Unnati Hooda all won their second-round matches on Saturday. Ayush beat Kazakhstan's Makhsut Tajibullayev 21-7, 21-7 in 21 minutes. Unnati overcame Malaysia's Wong Ling Ching 21-14, 20-22, 21-19. Sindhu defeated Chinese Taipei's Chiu Pin-chian 21-19, 21-14. All three had to return to court within hours for their round of 16 matches. Ayush faces Chou Tien-Chen, Unnati meets Putri Kusuma Wardani, and Sindhu plays Tomoka Miyazaki.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All three sources treat the schedule dispute as a straight news item, quoting Prannoy without endorsing or rebutting his view. No outlet sought a response from Games organisers, leaving the complaint unaddressed. The uniform coverage suggests the controversy has not yet escalated into an official protest. What matters next is whether the Indian contingent or the Badminton Association of India files a formal representation to the Asian Games committee, and how the scheduling body responds before the next round of matches.

## Coverage

- sports.ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://sports.ndtv.com/asian-games-2026/hs-prannoy-hits-out-at-asian-games-timetable-as-indian-shuttlers-forced-into-double-duty-12101037>
  Essentially identical to source 1, straight report.
- timesnownews.com (neutral report) <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/badminton/hs-prannoy-slams-crazy-asian-games-schedule-as-sindhu-ayush-unnati-face-two-matches-on-same-day-article-156228477>
  Quotes Prannoy's social media post directly, no editorial slant.
- sports.ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://sports.ndtv.com/badminton/hs-prannoy-hits-out-at-asian-games-timetable-as-indian-shuttlers-forced-into-double-duty-12101037#publisher=newsstand>
  Essentially identical to source 1, straight report.

Tags: Asian Games 2026, Ayush Shetty, HS Prannoy, PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda
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