A significant disruption occurred at the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament in New Delhi on January 17, 2026, when a women's doubles semifinal match was halted after debris from a bird's nest fell onto the court. The incident took place during the match between top-seeded Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning and South Korea's Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hi, causing a temporary stop in play for cleaning and inspection. This was not an isolated event, contributing to a growing list of concerns regarding the conditions at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Just two days prior, on January 15, a men's singles pre-quarterfinal match involving India's HS Prannoy and Singapore's Loh Kean Yew was interrupted twice due to bird droppings on the playing surface. These recurring bird-related stoppages have sparked widespread criticism from players and fans alike, raising serious questions about the maintenance and preparedness of the venue, especially as it is slated to host the World Championships later in the year. Beyond avian intrusions, players have also voiced complaints about other aspects of the tournament's organization. Danish shuttlers Mia Blichfeldt and Anders Antonsen were among those who highlighted issues such as 'dirty' and 'unhygienic' conditions, as well as concerns over air pollution in Delhi. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and venue officials have come under intense scrutiny, with critics pointing to neglected infrastructure and oversight failures as underlying causes for these 'embarrassing' disruptions. The events have cast a shadow over India's capabilities as a host for major international sporting spectacles.