India's M.R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan bowed out of the BWF World Championships 2026 men's doubles event on Wednesday, beaten 21-17, 21-14 by South Korea's M.H. Kang and D. Ki in the Round of 32 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The pair attributed the defeat to a string of unforced errors at a critical juncture of the opening game, which they believe proved decisive for the entire match.

How the Match Unfolded

The Indian duo had entered the Round of 32 after their first-round opponents, Scott Guildea and Paul Reynolds of Ireland, retired due to injury while trailing in the second game. Against the Koreans, Arjun and Amsakarunan held their own through the early stages of the first game, trading blows up to 15-all before a cluster of errors tilted the momentum decisively in favour of the Korean pair.

The second game proved even more difficult, with slower shuttle conditions undermining the Indians' attacking game and allowing Kang and Ki to dictate exchanges from the baseline.

What Amsakarunan Said

Reflecting on the loss, Amsakarunan acknowledged the Korean pair's renowned defensive resilience and said the Indians had gone in with a clear plan. 'We were playing good. That Korean defense was like, we knew before the match only; it's not an easy match. We have to get points of 10 to 12, 15 rallies minimum. That was good. Our game was close, like very close, neck and neck, 15-all. After that, simple errors on our side. The second set was, you know, that one, like a slower set; we went to a slower set. That smashes and all, can't finish. So, it's okay; it's a good game,' he said, adding that the pair were already looking ahead to the next tournament.

Arjun Points to Execution, Not Pace

Arjun was emphatic that the Korean pair's speed was not the deciding factor. 'No, it was definitely not the pace, because in the first game we were scoring points with pace, I believe. Our tactics were to start from the faster side, get those attacking smashes, and with the pace, make them move side to side. Koreans typically have a game style in which they are very strong in defense. They are not very fast with the side-to-side movement. But our tactics were that. We executed it well in the first, but couldn't close out the first. That cost us the match,' he said.

On the second game's difficulties, Arjun pointed to shuttle depth rather than any specific Korean tactic. 'When we went on to the second set to the slower side, probably our lifts were not going that high or behind. That's why they got the smashes. The depth was pretty much coming down to our knees,' he explained.

Significance and What Comes Next

The exit marks the end of India's campaign in the men's doubles draw at a home World Championships — a tournament that carries added weight given the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium setting and the expectation of a deep run on familiar courts. Notably, the pair's progression to the last 32 was aided by their opponents' retirement rather than a competitive win, leaving questions about their match sharpness heading into the tie against the Koreans.

With the BWF World Championships 2026 continuing through the week, Arjun and Amsakarunan will now refocus on the domestic and international circuit, with the duo signalling intent to apply the lessons from this campaign at their next outing.