Asia Cup Bridge: India B Seniors storm into final with 1-IMP win over Japan
Synopsis
Trailing by 22 IMPs with one session to go, India B Seniors clawed back to beat Japan by a single IMP — the closest match of the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships. With eight Indian pairs also in the HCL Friendship Matchpoint Finals, host nation India is having its best day at the tournament, and a gold medal clash against Australia awaits.
Key Takeaways
India B Seniors defeated Japan 126–125 (by 1 IMP ) to reach the gold medal final of the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships in Panaji .
India trailed by 22 IMPs going into the final session before winning the segment 56–40 to overturn the deficit.
India is guaranteed at least a silver medal — the first such assurance for the host nation at this tournament.
India B will face Australia in the Seniors final; Australia beat Bangladesh 170–67 in their semi-final.
Eight Indian pairs qualified for the HCL Friendship Matchpoint Finals across divisions on Saturday, 27 June .
Other finals set: China vs Hong Kong China A (Men's), China vs Indonesia (Women's), Australia A vs China B (Mixed).
India B Seniors pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks in the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships, defeating Japan by a single IMP (126–125) in Panaji on 26 June to advance to Saturday's gold medal match. The victory guarantees India at least a silver medal at the home tournament.
The Comeback That Defied the Odds
Trailing by 22 IMPs heading into the final session, India B mounted a remarkable fightback, winning the last segment 56–40 to overturn the deficit and seal the narrowest victory of the tournament. The margin — just one IMP — made it the closest match of the entire championship.
'It was an absolute nail-biter till the very last board,' said Anal Shah, Coach and Captain of the Indian Seniors team. 'We came back in the final session and finally won by just one IMP, which makes the victory all the more satisfying.'
India vs Australia in the Gold Medal Clash
Awaiting India B in the final is a formidable Australian side, which advanced after a commanding 170–67 victory over Bangladesh. The Australian squad features Ian Thomson, Terry Brown, Peter Gill, David Hudson, Michael Courtney, and Paul Lavings.
India's Senior B playing squad comprises Anil Padhye, Raju Tolani, Rajesh Dalal, Jitu Solani, Hemant Jalan, and Sukamal Das. The Seniors final is scheduled over three sessions across 1.5 to 2 days, with medals decided in an all-play-all format.
Eight Indian Pairs Qualify for HCL Friendship Matchpoint Finals
Beyond the team championship, the HCL Friendship Matchpoint Pairs competitions advanced to their final stage, with eight Indian pairs qualifying for Saturday's medal rounds across divisions. The finals will be contested over three sessions in an all-play-all format using matchpoint scoring, ensuring strong national representation.
Other Finals Confirmed
The remaining team finals were also locked in: China vs Hong Kong China A in the Men's Final; China vs Indonesia in the Women's Final; and Australia A vs China B in the Mixed Final. The Grand Finals across all categories are scheduled for Saturday, 27 June.
With a medal already secured and eight pairs still in contention, India enters the championship's decisive stage as the standout host nation of the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships.
Point of View
A side that beat Bangladesh by over 100 IMPs, suggesting a very different calibre of opposition. Whether India B's momentum from the comeback can offset Australia's clinical dominance will be the defining question of Saturday's final.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India B Seniors qualify for the Asia Cup Bridge final?
India B Seniors defeated Japan by a single IMP (126–125) on 26 June in Panaji, overturning a 22-IMP deficit in the final session to clinch the closest match of the tournament. The victory secured India's place in the gold medal final against Australia.
Who will India face in the Asia Cup Bridge Seniors final?
India B Seniors will face Australia in the gold medal match, scheduled for Saturday, 27 June. Australia advanced after a commanding 170–67 win over Bangladesh in their semi-final.
What medal is India already assured of at the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championships?
India is guaranteed at least a silver medal, having reached the Seniors final as the host nation. A gold medal is possible if they defeat Australia in Saturday's final.
Who are the players in India's Senior B squad?
India's Senior B playing squad comprises Anil Padhye, Raju Tolani, Rajesh Dalal, Jitu Solani, Hemant Jalan, and Sukamal Das, under the coaching and captaincy of Anal Shah.
How many Indian pairs qualified for the HCL Friendship Matchpoint Finals?
Eight Indian pairs qualified for the HCL Friendship Matchpoint Finals across divisions, with the medal rounds scheduled for Saturday, 27 June, in an all-play-all format using matchpoint scoring.
