Guwahati, Oct 6 (NationPress) The host nation, India, launched their mixed team journey in the Suhandinata Cup with an impressive win against neighboring Nepal, while Sri Lanka staged a remarkable comeback to defeat UAE in a thrilling Group H match on the inaugural day of the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 at the National Centre of Excellence here on Monday.

India, ranked second, opted for a varied line-up but easily triumphed with scores of 45-18 and 45-17 in their Group H opener. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka capitalized on the changes made by UAE to secure a nail-biting victory with scores of 30-45, 45-34, 45-44.

Other leading countries, including the 14-time champions China, previous champion Indonesia, and South Korea, had little trouble defeating their respective rivals in straight sets to kick off their campaigns.

The mixed team championships are contested under a new best-of-three relay-scoring format, where all five matches are played with a race to 9 points, and the team that reaches 45 points first wins the set. Teams have the option to rotate their players for each set.

India utilized the substitution rules to provide most of their players with vital match experience, employing different combinations for all three doubles matches and varying players in singles throughout the two sets against Nepal.

The former world junior No. 1 boys' doubles duo of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu set the tone for India with a 9-3 victory over Kabir KC and Suprim Panta, ensuring India faced no significant challenges.

In the girls' singles, Unnati Hooda and Asian U-19 championships bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma excelled in their respective matches, while Suryansh Rawat and Rounak Chouhan prepared for tougher challenges without any difficulties.

Although most Indian players had previously participated in a different version of the relay-scoring format at the Asian U-19 Mixed Team Championships, this was Unnati’s first experience in this format. She noted that more than adjusting her game approach, she needed to modify her pre-match routine.

“I usually take my time warming up in the 21-point format, but here we have to be at our best from the very first point. Thus, my warm-up involved significantly more court time, as there’s no opportunity for warm-up between matches,” she remarked. “Otherwise, I faced no issues during the match.”

None of the other elite badminton nations encountered challenges in their opening matches, with China defeating Ghana 45-14 and 45-10, Korea overcoming Hungary 45-22 and 45-29, Chinese Taipei besting Brazil 45-24 and 45-19, and Indonesia triumphing over the Philippines 45-27 and 45-40.

However, the contest between Sri Lanka and UAE kept everyone in the stadium at the edge of their seats as the former rallied from a set down to clinch victory.

After losing the opening set convincingly, Sri Lanka capitalized on UAE’s choice to substitute Bharath Latheesh with Riyan Malhan in boys’ singles. Keneth Aruggoda, who had lost 4-9 in the first set, won his second match 9-6, allowing Sri Lanka to build momentum for a decisive showdown.

Aruggoda provided a strong start in the final set with a 9-5 win over Latheesh. It appeared Sri Lanka would easily prevail when Ranthima Liyanage extended the lead to 18-8 against Prakriti Bharath.

However, Malhan and Latheesh clawed their way back into contention with a 15-9 victory over Sanuda Ariyasingha and Thisath Rupathunga, narrowing the score to 23-27. The last girls' doubles match provided thrilling entertainment.

At the start of the match, UAE trailed 30-36, and Barath and Mysha Omar Khan needed to score 15 points against Sandathi Hewagallage and Pawani Illeperumaarachichi to secure the tie for their team.

The UAE girls managed to score 14 points and were serving for the set and the tie at 44-44 but couldn’t close it out.

India will face Sri Lanka in their second group match on Tuesday and will square off against UAE on Wednesday.