How Did India's Campaign Conclude at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026?
Synopsis
In a dramatic turn of events at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China, India's men's and women's teams faced elimination in the quarterfinals. With standout performances and unexpected challenges, the matches revealed both strengths and weaknesses in Indian badminton. Read on for a detailed recap of both matches and their implications for the future of the teams.
Key Takeaways
India's men's team was eliminated after losing 1-3 against Korea.
Women's team faced a strong challenge from China, resulting in a 0-3 defeat.
Absence of key players affected India's performance significantly.
Strategic improvements in training and development are needed for future success.
Both teams need to build a deeper talent pool to compete internationally.
Qingdao, Feb 6 (NationPress) India's journey in the Badminton Asia Team Championships, hosted in Qingdao, China, concluded on Friday as the men faced a 1-3 defeat against Korea while the women suffered a 0-3 loss to the strong contenders China in the quarterfinals.
India, having secured the second position in Group C, just behind Japan, relied heavily on their singles players in the men's quarterfinal, especially in the absence of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Lakshya Sen. Their strategy seemed promising when Ayush Shetty held three match points against Yoo Tae Bin in the decisive singles match. However, despite saving three match points and earning another, the former world junior bronze medalist fell short with a score of 18-21, 21-14, 26-24 after an intense hour and 24 minutes.
Korea increased their advantage as Song Hyun Cho and Kim Won Ho triumphed over the Indian scratch team of Hariharan Amsakarunan and Chirag Shetty with a score of 21-11, 21-13.
India's hopes were briefly revived by former world number 1 Kidambi Srikanth, who secured a 21-15, 21-16 victory against Choi Ji Hoon. Nevertheless, Korea sealed the match in the second doubles, as Jin Yong and Ki Dong Ju defeated Pruthvi K Roy and K Sai Pratheek 21-11, 21-16.
In the women's quarterfinals, defending champions India struggled against the powerful Chinese team in the absence of PV Sindhu. World No. 10 Gao Fang Jie initiated China's march towards the semifinals with a commanding 21-9, 21-9 victory over Tanvi Sharma in the first singles.
The top Indian doubles duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand managed to earn a game point against the world No. 4 pair of Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian but ultimately lost 22-24, 18-21.
Rakshita Sree initially raised hopes by winning the first game against Xu Wen Jing but could not maintain her lead, eventually losing 14-21, 21-15, 21-17.
Results:
Women: India lost to China 0-3
(Tanvi Sharma lost to Gao Fang Jie 9-21, 9-21; Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand lost to Jia Yi Fan/Zhang Shu Xian 22-24, 18-21; Rakshitha Sree lost to Xu Wen Jing 21-14, 15-21, 17-21)
Men: India lost to Korea 1-3
(Ayush Shetty lost to Yoo Tae Bin 21-18, 14-21, 24-26; Hariharan Amsakarunan/Chirag Shetty lost to Song Hyun Cho/Kim Won Ho 11-21, 13-21; Kidambi Srikanth bt Choi Ji Hoon 21-15, 21-16; Pruthvi K Roy/K Sai Pratheek lost to Jin Yong/Ki Dong Ju 11-21, 16-21)
Point of View
It is crucial to reflect on this tournament's outcomes. While India's badminton teams showcased commendable skills, the absence of key players highlighted the need for deeper talent pools. Looking forward, strategic investments in training and development are essential to ensure future successes on international platforms.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the results of the men's quarterfinals?
India lost to Korea 1-3 in the men's quarterfinals, with Ayush Shetty being the only winner.
Who were key players missing from the Indian men's team?
The Indian men's team was without Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Lakshya Sen.
How did the women's team perform against China?
The women's team lost 0-3 against the strong Chinese side.
What was the final match score for Kidambi Srikanth?
Kidambi Srikanth won his match against Choi Ji Hoon with a score of 21-15, 21-16.
What is the significance of this tournament for Indian badminton?
This tournament highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian teams, stressing the importance of developing a robust talent pipeline.
