World No.9 HS Prannoy and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will lead the Indian challenge at the Sudirman Cup to be played in Suzhou, China, from May 14-21.

The senior national selection committee, which met here on Tuesday, picked a “balanced” squad with an aim to clinch a first-ever medal in the mixed team championships.

India men’s team had created history last year by winning the Thomas Cup and hopes of a potential podium finish in Suzhou were raised further following the bronze-winning performance in the Asian Mixed Team Championships earlier this year.

India are in Group C along with Malaysia, Chinese Taipei and Australia and their first task will be to make it to the knock-out stage from a potentially tough group.

The return of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, who missed the Asian mixed team event due to injury, will bolster the men’s doubles squad. Ashwini Ponnappa and Tanisha Castro will provide backup to the All England Championships semi-finalists Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly.

Kidambi Srikanth and Anupama Upadhyaya will be the other singles players.