The Badminton Asia Championships 2025 enters an exciting phase today with a packed lineup for Team India.
Several top Indian shuttlers, including PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and HS Prannoy, are set to begin their campaigns in the Round of 32, hoping to make deep runs in this prestigious continental tournament.
Here’s a comprehensive preview of all the Indian matches scheduled for today:
Men’s Doubles: Pruthvi Sai/Pranav Rao vs Chiu/Wang (TPE)
Court 3 | 6:30 AM IST
India’s young men’s doubles pair Pruthvi Sai and Pranav Rao opened the day with a challenging clash against Chinese Taipei’s experienced duo Chiu/Wang. Despite a spirited comeback to level the first game at 19-all, the Indian pair couldn’t maintain the momentum and went down in straight games (19-21, 12-21). The experience of Wang Chi Lin, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist, proved crucial in key moments.
Men’s Singles: HS Prannoy vs Lu Guang Zu (CHN)
Court 2 | 7:20 AM IST
World No. 9 HS Prannoy takes on China’s Lu Guang Zu in a mouthwatering first-round clash. Prannoy, known for his grit and clutch performances, will be aiming to build rhythm ahead of a crucial Olympic year. Lu, a tough opponent with a well-rounded game, could stretch the Indian, but if Prannoy finds his groove early, he should be able to pull through.
Women’s Singles: Aakarshi Kashyap vs Han Yue (CHN)
Court 1 | 8:10 AM IST
Aakarshi Kashyap faces a stiff test against Han Yue, a top-15 Chinese shuttler. The Indian national champion will need to produce one of her best performances to stand a chance. Han’s deceptive play and relentless movement may be hard to match, but Aakarshi’s recent training improvements could help her push the tie further than expected.
Women’s Doubles: Priya Konjengbam/Shruti Mishra vs Sung/Yu (TPE)
Court 2 | 10:50 AM IST
Priya and Shruti, still growing in experience at the senior level, will be taking on a solid pair from Chinese Taipei. The Indian duo has shown good chemistry in recent BWF International events but will need to be tactically sharp to counter Sung and Yu’s fast net play.
Men’s Doubles: Hariharan A/Ruban Kumar R vs Madhuka/Lahiru (SRI)
Court 2 | 11:40 AM IST
The Indian pair enters this contest as favorites against the Sri Lankan duo. With superior rankings and form on their side, Hariharan and Ruban should look to make a dominant start. A strong win here could set them up for a deeper run in the tournament.
Men’s Singles: Kiran George vs Dmitriy Panarin (KAZ)
Court 4 | 12:30 PM IST
Kiran George, who’s shown glimpses of brilliance in the BWF circuit, faces Kazakhstan’s Panarin. The Indian will be looking to dominate from the backcourt with his aggressive style. A clean straight-game win will be crucial for conserving energy in what could be a loaded bottom half of the draw.
Women’s Singles: Anupama Upadhyaya vs Ratchanok Intanon (THA)
Court 2 | 2:10 PM IST
This is a marquee matchup for Anupama, who faces former World Champion Ratchanok Intanon. While the Thai shuttler remains a class apart with her elegance and shot variety, Anupama has shown great resilience and court maturity in the past year. An upset here would be huge for the young Indian and her Olympic dreams.
Men’s Singles: Lakshya Sen vs Lee Chia Hao (TPE)
Court 3 | 3:00 PM IST
India’s Olympic hopeful Lakshya Sen will kickstart his BAC 2025 campaign against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chia Hao. Sen, a former All England finalist, will be eager to assert dominance early in the match and avoid long rallies. Every win counts and he’ll be keen to send a strong message.
Women’s Singles: Malvika Bansod vs Gao Fang Jie (CHN)
Court 2 | 3:50 PM IST
Malvika Bansod has a tricky opponent in Gao Fang Jie, a technically sound Chinese player. Bansod, who has recently improved her physical conditioning, will need to play an aggressive game while maintaining long rallies to draw errors. A close match is expected.
Men’s Singles: Priyanshu Rajawat vs Kantaphon Wangcharoen (THA)
Court 3 | 5:30 PM IST
Priyanshu, one of India’s brightest young talents, is up against Kantaphon, a seasoned Thai shuttler. This match is poised to be a thriller, with both players capable of producing high-paced rallies. Rajawat’s attacking instincts will be crucial if he wants to move to the next round.
Women’s Singles: PV Sindhu vs Ester Nurumi Wardoyo (INA)
Court 4 | 5:30 PM IST
Finally, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu returns to continental action against Indonesia’s Ester Wardoyo. Sindhu, aiming for her third Asian medal, will look to get into rhythm with a convincing win. Wardoyo can be tricky, but if Sindhu stays composed and controls the net, she should sail through.
Final Thoughts
With 12 Indian matches scheduled, BAC 2025 is poised to be a day of high drama, excitement, and opportunity for Indian shuttlers. Veterans like Sindhu and Prannoy bring experience, while youngsters like Priyanshu, Anupama, and Kiran George offer fresh promise.
A few wins today could set the tone for a successful championship. Indian fans will be hoping for a strong start and perhaps, a few surprise scalps along the way.
Let the battles begin!
