Inconsistent world-conqueror Sindhu, fast-rising Lakshya steer Indian badminton in 2019

A momentous gold at the world championships more than made up for P V Sindhu's otherwise ordinary run in the circuit, while teenager Lakshya Sen ensured that Indian men's badminton had a strong future to look forward to in a mixed bag that was 2019.

After two silvers and two bronze medals, Sindhu finally fetched India its first ever World Championships gold in the sport but spent rest of the year struggling for form.

The world championship in Switzerland, in fact, was a big one for India in more than one way as B Sai Praneeth emulated Prakash Padukone by winning a men's singles bronze, ending a 36-year wait.

India had a lot going for it in the doubles circuit as well with Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty leaving many of their illustrious seniors behind by becoming the first Indian men's pair to win a Super 500 title at Thailand Open and then reaching the French Open Super 750 final.

But the Indian story of the year in men's badminton was without doubt the 18-year-old Lakshya,