NAGPUR shuttlers Nehal Gosavi and Ajinkya Patharkar have been selected in the Maharashtra team for the Yonex-Sunrise 79th Inter State – Inter Zonal and 88th Senior National Badminton Championships 2026, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from December 17 to 24. Nehal Gosavi has been selected in the women’s doubles category, where she will partner with Anagha Karandikar from Thane. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Patharkar has earned his place in the men’s doubles team, partnering with Ian Lopes from Palghar.

 

Both players secured their selection through consistent and outstanding performances in the Maharashtra State Selection tournaments held at Chandrapur and Nanded, followed by the Senior State Badminton Championship at Satara. Their selection is also a result of their impressive performances at the West Zone Inter-State Badminton Championships 2026, held in Chhattisgarh, where they were part of the Maharashtra contingent. Team Maharashtra delivered an exceptional performance, with both the boys and girls teams clinching gold medals at the West Zone Championship. This remarkable achievement further strengthened Maharashtra's qualification for the upcoming Inter-State, Inter-Zonal and Senior National Championships. Kundatai Vijaykar, President, NDBA, Mangesh Kashikar, Senior VP, MBA and Secretary, NDBA, and others wished both players.