In a heartfelt announcement, Indian badminton star Saina Nehwal shared on Sunday that she and her husband, fellow shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, have decided to go their separate ways after almost seven years of marriage.
The two athletes tied the knot in December 2018, after spending more than a decade together—first as teenagers training under the same coach in Hyderabad at the Pullela Gopichand Academy.
Over the years, Saina and Kashyap became one of India’s most admired sports couples. Both reached impressive heights in their careers: Saina became an Olympic bronze medallist and former world No. 1, while Kashyap brought home a Commonwealth Games gold and represented India at major global events.
In her statement, Saina wrote that life sometimes leads people in different directions. After long discussions and thought, she and Kashyap have chosen to part ways, focusing on their personal healing and growth.
She added, “Thank you for respecting our privacy during this time.”
Kashyap, who officially retired in 2024, had been coaching Saina in recent years. Their professional bond evolved over time from training partners to a coach-athlete team, with Kashyap often seen supporting her from the sidelines during matches.
Saina, 35, hasn’t competed internationally since the Singapore Open in June 2023. With this announcement, their split marks one of the most talked-about separations in Indian sports—following similar high-profile splits like those of Sania Mirza and MC Mary Kom in recent times.
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