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Fajar Alfian has opened up about the team captaincy for Indonesia’s squad at the 2025 Sudirman Cup. The seasoned shuttler hopes that someone else will take on the leadership role this year.
Fajar previously held the captain’s role during the 2024 Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China — his first experience leading the national team in a prestigious team competition. He was elected through a team vote and helped guide Indonesia through the tournament with confidence and composure.
As one of the senior figures among Indonesia’s representatives for the upcoming mixed-team Sudirman Cup — set to take place in Xiamen, China, from April 27 to May 4 — Fajar would naturally be among the top candidates to lead again. Other experienced names in the squad include men’s singles star Jonatan Christie and women’s singles ace Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
However, Fajar has expressed a strong desire to step back from the leadership role, emphasizing the importance of sharing the experience.
“Hopefully, this year someone else can take the role,” Fajar said during a training session at PBSI’s national training center in Cipayung on Monday. “It’s important to create a new atmosphere and give others the chance to feel what it’s like to be captain — to represent their teammates.”
The two-time All England champion (2023 and 2024) is even willing to hand over the captaincy to someone he believes is more prepared. “If I get nominated, I’ll pass it on to whoever’s more ready,” he stated firmly.
Indonesia will be sending 13 players to compete in the 2025 Sudirman Cup. Aside from Fajar and his men’s doubles partner Muhammad Rian Ardianto, the men’s team will include Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, Daniel Marthin, Leo Rolly Carnando, and Bagas Maulana.
For the singles events, Indonesia will be represented by Jonatan Christie, Alwi Farhan, and Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah on the men’s side, and by Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and Putri Kusuma Wardani in the women’s singles.
The women’s doubles squad includes two pairs: Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi and Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Lanny Tria Mayasari. In mixed doubles, Indonesia will be fielding Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari, Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, and Dejan Ferdinansyah.
Seeded second in the tournament, Indonesia has been placed in Group D alongside Denmark, India, and England — a competitive group that will surely test the team’s depth and versatility across all events.
