Badminton's New 15-Point Format: Speed and Power Take Center Stage

Top Indian badminton player, Chirag Shetty, weighs in on the new 15-point format recently approved by the Badminton World Federation. While the format emphasizes speed and power, it receives mixed reactions from players. The shortened game may favor powerful players, but questions remain about its impact on spectator enjoyment.

Top men’s doubles badminton player Chirag Shetty voiced his views on the sport's new 15-point scoring format introduced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). This format, to be implemented in January 2027, marks a shift from the traditional 21-point system, focusing more on speed and power than endurance.

Chirag, a two-time world championship bronze medalist, expects the change to benefit players like him, who excel in power hitting. He finds the 15-point format less drastic compared to the shelved 11x5 proposal from years ago. Opinions remain divided, with questions over whether this new style will keep fans engaged.

Veteran player H. S. Prannoy is skeptical of the potential for matches to conclude too quickly, particularly in windy conditions. He worries that shorter games could fail to offer fans the value for their money and notes mixed reactions among fellow players regarding the format.