India sweep Japan 3-0 at 2026 Asian Games badminton, enter men's team SF
Synopsis
India's men's badminton team are guaranteed a medal at the 2026 Asian Games after sweeping Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals. Lakshya Sen's dramatic three-game fightback set the tone, before Satwik-Chirag edged out former world champions and Ayush Shetty closed it out — putting India on course to better their silver-medal finish from the previous edition.
Key Takeaways
India beat Japan 3-0 in the men's team badminton quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games on 22 September .
Lakshya Sen won a three-game thriller 11-21, 21-5, 21-19 against Kodai Naraoka after overcoming a five-point deficit in the decider.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 21-18, 24-22 .
Ayush Shetty sealed the win with a straight-games victory 21-10, 21-19 over Koki Watanabe .
India have assured themselves of at least a bronze medal — matching or bettering their silver from the previous Asian Games.
India face the winner of China vs South Korea in the semifinal on Wednesday .
India stormed into the men's team badminton semifinals at the 2026 Asian Games after a dominant 3-0 win over Japan in the quarterfinals at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday, 22 September. The result guarantees India at least a bronze medal in the event — their second consecutive men's team medal at the Asian Games.
Lakshya Sen's Gritty Comeback
Lakshya Sen opened proceedings against Kodai Naraoka in what turned into one of the match's most dramatic contests. After a dismal first game that he lost 11-21, Sen responded with a blistering 21-5 second game to level the tie. Naraoka threatened to seize control of the decider, opening a five-point lead, but Sen mounted a stunning recovery, levelling at 19-19 before clinching the next two points to seal an 11-21, 21-5, 21-19 victory.
Satwik-Chirag Edge Out Former World Champions
World No. 5 doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then faced Japan's world No. 9 duo Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi — former world champions — in a closely fought contest. The Indian pair took the opening game 21-18 before navigating a nerve-shredding second game, saving three match points for Japan and eventually winning 24-22 to hand India a decisive 2-0 lead.
Ayush Shetty Seals the Deal
With the tie effectively decided, young Ayush Shetty delivered a composed performance against Koki Watanabe. He controlled the first game from the outset to win it 21-10, and despite Watanabe's resistance in the second, Ayush maintained his advantage to close out the contest 21-10, 21-19, completing the sweep and sealing India's semifinal berth.
Road to the Semis and What's at Stake
India had opened their campaign with an equally convincing 3-0 win over Bangladesh in the round of 16. In the semifinal on Wednesday, India will face the winner of the quarterfinal between China and South Korea. This comes amid India's renewed push for badminton dominance in Asia — at the previous edition, the men's team had won a silver medal, losing the final to China. A win in the semifinal would set up a shot at the gold and an improvement on that result.
Point of View
And this 3-0 sweep — against a Japan side that included former world champions in doubles — underscores the depth now available. What's striking is the contribution of Ayush Shetty: his composed finishing at No. 3 signals that India's singles bench strength is no longer a vulnerability. The real test arrives in the semifinal against China or South Korea, both historically dominant in this format. Whether India can push past that ceiling will define whether this is a breakthrough or a strong-but-familiar silver run.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did India win a medal at the 2026 Asian Games men's team badminton event?
Yes, India guaranteed at least a bronze medal by defeating Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals on 22 September 2026 at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. They have now advanced to the semifinals.
Who played for India in the quarterfinal against Japan?
Lakshya Sen played the first singles, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty contested the doubles, and Ayush Shetty played the third singles. All three won their respective matches to complete the 3-0 sweep.
How did Lakshya Sen win his match against Kodai Naraoka?
Lakshya Sen lost the first game 11-21 before racing through the second 21-5. In the decider, he recovered from a five-point deficit to level at 19-19 and then won the final two points, sealing victory 11-21, 21-5, 21-19.
Who will India face in the men's team badminton semifinal at the 2026 Asian Games?
India will face the winner of the quarterfinal between China and South Korea in the semifinal scheduled for Wednesday, 23 September. Both are historically formidable opponents in the team event.
How did India perform at the previous Asian Games men's team badminton event?
India won a silver medal at the previous Asian Games, losing the final to China. Their 2026 semifinal qualification means they have already matched that medal tally, with a chance to go one better.
