Saina Nehwal Announces Separation from Parupalli Kashyap After Six Years of Marriage: ‘Choosing Peace and Growth’
Saina Nehwal Announces Separation from Parupalli Kashyap After Six Years of Marriage: ‘Choosing Peace and Growth’
Veteran badminton star and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal has revealed that she and her husband, former shuttler Parupalli Kashyap, have decided to separate. The couple, who married on December 14, 2018, announced their decision via Saina’s Instagram story late Sunday night.
“Life takes us in different directions sometimes. After much thought and consideration, Kashyap Parupalli and I have decided to part ways. We’re choosing peace, growth, and healing – for ourselves and each other,” Saina shared. She expressed gratitude for their shared memories and requested privacy during this period.
Saina and Kashyap, who trained together at the Pullela Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad, were among India’s most celebrated badminton couples. Saina became a global icon with her London 2012 Olympic bronze and reached the world No. 1 ranking, while Kashyap achieved a career-high top 10 ranking and won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. After retiring from competitive badminton earlier this year, Kashyap has moved into coaching.
Saina, now 35, has been away from the circuit since a first-round exit at the Singapore Open in June 2023. Last year, she spoke candidly about her battle with arthritis and hinted at considering retirement towards the end of 2025. Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest badminton players, Saina holds several historic milestones: she was the first Indian to win an Olympic badminton medal, reach the World Championships final, and clinch the BWF World Junior Championships title — achievements that played a pivotal role in inspiring India’s badminton boom.
