‘It’s harder to build rallies’: India’s star shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa criticizes badminton’s new 15×3 scoring system

KOCHI: Star shuttler Ashwini Ponnappa, who won the women’s doubles gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, says she is not a fan of badminton’s new 15×3 scoring system, saying the diet version strips the sport of the drama and intensity that makes it so enthralling. The All India Senior Badminton Tournament, which began at the Kochi Regional Sports Center on Tuesday, is the first tournament on the domestic circuit to introduce the format to ensure a smooth transition for the Indian shuttlers. The World Badminton Federation plans to introduce a 15×3 scoring system globally from January 2027.In this format, all matches will be played as best-of-three matches under a pool scoring system in which each game will be played to 15 points instead of 21. The traditional mid-game interval will now be used when the leading player or pair reaches eight points.“The beauty of the 21-point system is its ebb and flow. It allows for momentum shifts, creates drama and allows for comebacks,” Ponnappa said. TOI at the Regional Sports Center after she and Satish Karunakaran won their opening mixed doubles match 15-8, 15-10 against Farhan Muhammad and Meera Nair.“Some of the biggest matches in badminton have lasted at least 90 minutes, with the longest stretches over 160 minutes. Those are the contests that people remember,” said Ponnappa.The BWF plans to introduce this diet version to shorten the duration of matches, reduce player fatigue, reduce physical demands and create faster games to suit the ethos of modern broadcasting. Ponnappa, 36, felt that the sport’s governing body had missed a trick by failing to innovate and instead decided to tinker with the tested format.“If you feel like the sport is getting too physical, add another break,” explained Coorgi. Ponnappa said the authorities should have kept the 21-point format in Tour 1000 events and trialled the 15-point system at some of the lower-ranked events.“It’s harder to build a rally. Who wants to see a badminton game go down in 20 minutes?” argued Ponnappa. Ponnappa acknowledged that players have no choice but to adapt and accept the new normal.“That’s right. The sooner the players adapt to the new scoring system, the better for them,” she added.