India Out of Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 concluded with a 0-3 defeat against former champions Japan in the quarterfinals. Despite strong efforts from Indian shuttlers, the team could not advance further in the tournament held in Qingdao, China.
Mixed Doubles Battle Ends in Defeat
The opening match saw Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto take on Japan’s world No. 12 duo Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito. The Indian pair put up a determined fight, pushing the match into a third game. However, their experienced Japanese opponents took control in the decider and sealed a 21-13, 17-21, 21-13 victory, giving Japan an early 1-0 lead.
“We gave it our all, but they had better execution in crucial moments,” said Dhruv Kapila post-match.
Malvika Bansod’s Resilient Effort Falls Short
In the second match, Malvika Bansod faced off against world No. 8 Tomoka Miyazaki in the women’s singles. She put up a strong resistance in the second game, but Miyazaki proved too strong and secured a 21-12, 21-19 win. With this result, Japan extended their lead to 2-0, putting India in a do-or-die situation.
HS Prannoy Fights Hard but Japan Seals the Win
With the quarterfinal tie hanging in the balance, Asian Games bronze medalist HS Prannoy stepped onto the court against Kenta Nishimoto in the men’s singles. The match was an intense battle, with Prannoy staging a comeback in the second game. However, Nishimoto had a dominant start in the decider, taking a 6-0 lead, and maintained his momentum to secure a 21-14, 15-21, 21-12 victory.
This triumph sealed Japan’s 3-0 win, bringing India’s campaign to an end in the tournament.
India’s Performance in the Tournament
✔ Group Stage Success – India started strong, defeating Macau 5-0 in their opening match. ✔ Close Encounter with South Korea – India fought hard but lost 2-3 to South Korea in the group-stage match. ✔ Quarterfinal Exit – Despite determined performances, India failed to progress beyond the last eight.
What’s Next for Indian Badminton?
The early exit will serve as a learning experience for the Indian squad. The focus now shifts to upcoming international tournaments, where players will aim to refine their skills and regain momentum.
India’s head coach emphasized:
“We have a young and talented team. This loss is disappointing, but it will help us grow stronger for future challenges.”
While India bows out of the championship, the team’s fighting spirit and potential remain promising for upcoming competitions. The road ahead will be crucial in shaping India’s future in world badminton.