India from the Asian Badminton Mixed Team Championships ended in disappointment as they suffered a 0-3 defeat against Japan in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 14. Despite entering the tournament with high hopes, the Indian team failed to secure a single victory in their last-eight tie, returning home empty-handed from Qingdao, China.
India’s Hopes Dashed in Quarterfinals
India from the Asian Badminton had set its sights on winning a second consecutive medal after securing bronze in the 2023 edition. However, Japan proved to be too strong an opponent, denying them a place in the semifinals. The Indian contingent, featuring some of the country’s top shuttlers, struggled to break Japan’s dominance on the court.
“We fought hard, but Japan played very well. It’s disappointing, but we will come back stronger,” a team official stated.
Match Recap: A Tough Battle for India
The quarterfinal tie saw Japan take control early, making it difficult for India to gain momentum.
✔ Men’s Singles: HS Prannoy faced Kenta Nishimoto in a crucial match but couldn’t turn the tide. Despite a determined effort, Prannoy lost 21-14, 15-21, 21-21 in a contest that lasted over an hour. ✔ Women’s Singles: India’s challenge weakened further when their women’s singles player fell to Japan’s strong defense, widening the deficit. ✔ Mixed Doubles: The opening match saw Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto start strong, winning the first game 21-11. However, they couldn’t maintain the momentum, losing the next two 12-21, 15-21 in a 56-minute battle.
Disappointment for Doubles Stars
India’s star doubles pairs, including Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty and Gayatri Gopichand-Treesa Jolly, never got the opportunity to compete in the tie. Japan’s dominant singles performances ensured an early victory, rendering the doubles matches unnecessary.
Road to the Quarterfinals
Despite the setback, India showcased their prowess in the group stage:
- Defeated Macau 5-0 in an emphatic opening performance.
- Lost to South Korea 2-3 in a closely contested encounter.
- Advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group D.
Looking Ahead: Lessons for the Future
Although India’s run in the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships ended earlier than expected, the tournament served as a valuable experience. The young talents gained crucial exposure against elite opponents, highlighting areas for improvement. With upcoming global events on the horizon, India will be eager to bounce back and reclaim their place among the continent’s best teams.
The focus now shifts to preparing for future tournaments, where India will aim to rectify their mistakes and return stronger on the international stage.