NEW DELHI: For B Sumeeth Reddy, the euphoria that followed Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand’s historic moment at the BWF World Championships on Friday was about far more than a guaranteed bronze medal. It was about two players finally laying down the weight they had carried for years.India’s unseeded women’s doubles pair produced one of the finest victories of their careers, coming from a game down to defeat China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian 16-21, 21-15, 21-13 in New Delhi. The win assured them of at least a bronze medal.It also ended a 15-year wait for an Indian women’s doubles medal at the World Championships, with Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa having last reached the podium in 2011.
Starting with Gayatri being Gopi sir’s daughter. It’s a big baggage. Everyone would say ‘silver spoon’ and all of that, but I think it’s a very big baggage
b sUMEET
Speaking after the victory, Reddy said Gayatri’s achievement carried a unique emotional significance because of the expectations that have followed her throughout her career. The 23-year-old is the daughter of legendary Pullela Gopichand, who is also the national coach and was courtside as the duo progressed to the semi-finals.“Both of them have their own baggage, starting with Gayatri being Gopi sir’s daughter. It’s a big baggage. Everyone would say ‘silver spoon’ and all of that, but I think it’s a very big baggage,” Reddy said.
India’s Treesa Jolly (R) and Gayatri Gopichand pose for a photo in the women’s doubles quarter-final match against China’s Zhang Shuxian and Jia Yifan at the BWF World Championships at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI)
“I think with this, she would be relieved that she is also a World Championship medallist. That would be a huge medal in her career.”The coach was equally effusive in his praise for Treesa, whose return from an ankle injury has powered the pair’s resurgence. The duo had broken into the world’s top 10 before injuries interrupted their progress, and only returned to the circuit in June after months of rehabilitation.“Treesa was very hungry from the start of her career. She wanted to do something big, prove that she’s not playing tournaments just to compete. She always wanted to be the star of Indian badminton. This again is a big achievement in her kitty as well,” he said.
Once the match finished, I just congratulated him [Pullela Gopichand] saying, ‘You have done it, bhayya.’ He’s a father as well, and he’s been at this for the last 45 days, doing two or three sessions every day
B Sumeeth Reddy | Badminton coach
The comeback victory was remarkable in itself. The Indians had never beaten Jia and Zhang in three previous meetings and found themselves trailing 1-6 in the opening game. After conceding the first game, they recovered brilliantly, turning a 5-10 deficit in the second into a commanding finish before racing through the decider with relentless attacking badminton.As the pair celebrated on court, Reddy shared a quieter moment with Gayatri’s father and chief national coach Pullela Gopichand on the sidelines.“Once the match finished, I just congratulated him saying, ‘You have done it, bhayya.’ He’s a father as well, and he’s been at this for the last 45 days, doing two or three sessions every day. Even when they [Gayatri and Treesa] were tired, they kept working. I just said, ‘You have done it. It’s a World Championship medal in your kitty.'”
India’s Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, front, and Treesa Jolly compete during a women’s doubles quarterfinal badminton match against China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian, unseen, at the BWF World Championships, at IGI Stadium, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo/Salman Ali) (PTI08_21_2026_000194B)
The significance of the medal extended beyond the pair. India had entered the home World Championships carrying an unbroken medal streak dating back to 2011, and Reddy admitted the pressure of keeping it alive in front of thousands of home fans was immense.“It’s always difficult, especially in India with the home crowd. Thousands of people are trying to encourage them, and they want to make sure the crowd goes back home happily. We have had that medal streak for the last 15 years, and if we didn’t get one in India, that would have been the saddest thing. I’m really happy that our event could be the reason.”Treesa and Gayatri will now play in the semi-finals with the chance to upgrade India’s first women’s doubles World Championships medal in 15 years into an even rarer prize.