In the cool, charged atmosphere of Germany’s sports halls at the 2025 World University Games, the Indian mixed badminton team carved out a chapter that will be remembered for decades: winning the country’s first-ever badminton medal at these prestigious Games.
It was a campaign built on dominant starts, nervy finishes, collective belief, and a dramatic quarterfinal night that stretched into the early hours culminating in a moment of historic triumph.
A Campaign Begins with Dominance
India’s mixed team journey began against Macau, a tie that showcased the squad’s depth and sharpness. The Indians brushed aside their opponents 5–0, not dropping a single game across all five rubbers.
- Sathish K. and Saneeth D. set the tone, winning the men’s doubles 2–0.
- Devika Sihag followed with a commanding 2–0 win in the women’s singles.
- Saneeth then doubled up with a 2–0 victory in men’s singles.
- Tasnim Mir and Varshini V. paired up to claim the women’s doubles 2–0.
- The mixed doubles duo of Sathish and Vaishnavi K. wrapped up proceedings with yet another 2–0 win.
It was a performance that not only opened the campaign with confidence but also sent a message to stronger teams that India had come prepared.
A Close Shave Against Hong Kong
The second group tie against Hong Kong proved to be the first real test of the team’s resilience. India ultimately lost the contest 2–3, despite putting up a spirited fight.
- Saneeth won the men’s singles 2–0.
- The men’s doubles team of Saneeth and Sathish also earned a 2–0 win.
- However, defeats in mixed doubles, women’s singles, and women’s doubles shifted the balance towards Hong Kong.
The loss highlighted vulnerabilities, especially in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles pairings, but also steeled the squad for the knockout rounds.
Beating the USA to Reach the Quarterfinals
With everything to play for in the Round of 16, India faced the United States a team built on athleticism and collegiate experience. The Indians responded with their most balanced tie of the tournament so far, winning 3–1:
- Sathish and Vaishnavi dug deep to clinch the opening mixed doubles 2–1.
- Saneeth, the anchor in men’s singles, delivered again with a 2–1 victory.
- Devika Sihag fell short in women’s singles, losing 0–2.
- Finally, Saneeth and Sathish sealed the tie with a dominant 2–0 win in men’s doubles.
This win did more than advance India to the quarterfinals; it brought them just one step away from a historic medal.
The Dramatic Quarterfinal Night vs Malaysia
At 11:00 PM IST, India took the court against Malaysia in the quarterfinal knowing victory would secure the nation’s first-ever badminton medal at the World University Games. What followed was a night of dramatic twists, narrow margins, and steely nerves.
The mixed doubles pair of Sathish and Vaishnavi started brightly, taking the first game 15–9. They stumbled in the second game, losing 11–15, but rebounded to edge the decider 15–11, giving India a 1–0 lead.
Next up, Saneeth faced Malaysia’s Jing in the men’s singles. After winning the first game 15–9, Saneeth dropped the next two narrowly (13–15, 11–15). The tie was level at 1–1.
Devika Sihag then stepped onto the court for women’s singles and delivered under pressure. After winning the opening game 15–8, she lost the second 8–15, but clinched the final game 15–12 to give India a crucial 2–1 advantage.
Hopes were high as the experienced men’s doubles pair of Sathish and Saneeth returned to court. But the Malaysian pair proved too strong, winning decisively 8–15, 6–15. With the tie now balanced at 2–2, it all came down to the final rubber: women’s doubles.
Tasked with carrying India’s medal hopes were Tasnim Mir and Varshini V., not a regular pairing and up against formidable opponents. In the deciding game, after splitting the first two, they fought point for point before clinching the final game 15–13. History was confirmed: India had reached the semifinals and secured its first-ever badminton medal at the University Games.
Behind the Scenes: A Night of Nerves
The victory was accompanied by a timeline of tension:
- Saneeth lost the men’s singles tie, making the overall score 1–1.
- Devika’s win restored India’s lead to 2–1.
- The men’s doubles defeat made it 2–2.
- And finally, in the early hours, Tasnim and Varshini delivered the decisive blow.
Throughout the night, live updates reflected the emotional roller-coaster of the team and fans alike.
Next Stop: Chinese Taipei in the Semifinal
With the medal secured, India prepared to face Chinese Taipei in the semifinal, who themselves had defeated Japan 3–1. While the challenge ahead was significant, the Indian team had already achieved what no previous generation could: standing on the badminton podium at the University Games.
What This Means for Indian Badminton
This medal isn’t just a result it’s a signal that India’s talent pool extends far beyond the professional BWF circuit. It highlights the depth of university-level badminton and the value of investing in grassroots, college, and state programs.
Players like Saneeth, Devika, Tasnim, Sathish, Vaishnavi, and Varshini are not only promising talents but also symbols of how far Indian badminton has come.
From sweeping past Macau, narrowly losing to Hong Kong, defeating the USA to reach the quarterfinals, and finally edging Malaysia in a dramatic midnight finish this Indian team’s journey at the World University Games 2025 will be remembered as a landmark in the sport’s history.
A medal that seemed like a distant dream just days earlier is now real, earned by resilience, composure, and collective belief.
