Asian Games badminton: Japan lead India 2-0 after Sindhu, Unnati defeats in women's team QF
Synopsis
India's Asian Games women's badminton campaign is on the brink after both PV Sindhu and youngster Unnati Hooda fell to Akane Yamaguchi, handing Japan a 2-0 lead in the quarterfinal. History offers little comfort — India's women have just one team medal ever at the Asian Games. Only Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand stand between India and another early exit.
Key Takeaways
Japan lead India 2-0 in the Asian Games women's badminton team quarterfinal at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on 22 September .
PV Sindhu lost 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 to three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi despite winning the first game.
Unnati Hooda lost in straight games after squandering leads of 11-10 and 11-4 in the respective games.
India's only women's team medal at the Asian Games is a bronze from the 2014 Incheon Games ; in 2023 they also lost in the quarterfinals.
Doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are India's last hope, facing Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto .
PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda both fell to Akane Yamaguchi on 22 September at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium, leaving Japan leading India 2-0 in the Asian Games women's team badminton quarterfinal. India's survival in the tournament now rests entirely on the women's doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.
Sindhu's Gruelling Exit
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu opened proceedings against three-time world champion Yamaguchi in what became a physically punishing contest. Sindhu showed tremendous resolve in the first game, clawing back from a 6-10 deficit to reach 12-12, then surviving a game point from 15-18 down to clinch the opener 23-21.
The second game offered more drama: Sindhu narrowed a 12-17 gap to 16-18 before Yamaguchi surged ahead. A Sindhu smash briefly threatened a turnaround, but the Japanese champion held firm to take the game 21-18. By the decider, the physical toll was evident — Sindhu trailed 4-11 at the mid-game interval and eventually lost the third game 11-21, going down 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 overall.
Unnati Hooda's Collapse After Strong Start
Indian youngster Unnati Hooda appeared well-placed in both games before momentum shifted decisively. In the opening game, Unnati held an 11-10 lead at the break, only to lose the thread as Yamaguchi — competing in her second match of the tie — came back strongly to win 21-16.
The second game was even more agonising: Unnati raced to a commanding 11-4 lead, yet found herself trailing 15-16 as the finish line approached. Yamaguchi closed out the game 21-18, completing a straight-games win and putting Japan firmly in control.
India's Last Hope: Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand
With Japan needing just one more point from three remaining rubbers, the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand take the court against world-class opponents Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. For India to have any realistic chance of advancing, they must win the doubles — and then hold on in the remaining singles.
India's Asian Games Women's Team Badminton Record
The historical weight of this match is considerable. India's women have claimed just one Asian Games team medal in badminton — a bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games. In the most recent edition in 2023, the Indian women also bowed out at the quarterfinal stage, losing 0-3 to Thailand. This run raises questions about India's depth and team-format strength beyond its marquee singles players.
With the doubles underway and the deficit steep, India face a stern test to avoid repeating that early exit and to move beyond a record that reflects just how elusive Asian Games glory has been for the women's team.
Point of View
The scaffolding collapses. Unnati's collapse from dominant mid-game leads in both rubbers is the more worrying signal for the future: tactical inexperience under pressure at elite team events. The 2023 quarterfinal exit against Thailand looked like a blip; a second consecutive quarterfinal defeat would confirm a pattern. India's investment in doubles — where Treesa-Gayatri are genuinely competitive — may be the more sustainable path to team medals than banking on singles depth that simply does not yet exist behind Sindhu.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current score between India and Japan in the Asian Games women's badminton team quarterfinal?
Japan are leading India 2-0 after winning both singles rubbers on 22 September at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. India need to win all three remaining rubbers to advance.
How did PV Sindhu perform against Akane Yamaguchi?
PV Sindhu lost 21-23, 21-18, 21-11 to three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi. Sindhu won the first game after clawing back from 6-10 down and saving a game point, but her physical reserves appeared depleted by the decider.
What happened in Unnati Hooda's match?
Unnati Hooda lost both games despite holding leads of 11-10 in the first game and 11-4 in the second. She eventually lost 21-16 and 21-18, with her opponent taking control at the critical stages of each game.
What is India's historical record in women's team badminton at the Asian Games?
India have won just one women's team medal at the Asian Games — a bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games. In the 2023 edition, the women's team also lost at the quarterfinal stage, going down 0-3 to Thailand.
Who is still playing for India in the quarterfinal?
Doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are still in action for India, taking on Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto. They represent India's only realistic path to staying alive in the tie.
