The Indian challenge at the Badminton Asia Team Championships, BATC 2026now moves into the knockout phase, with the women’s team set to face China and the men drawn against Korea in Thursday’s quarterfinals in Qingdao.
Both Indian teams reached the last eight after finishing second in their respective groups, following narrow 3–2 defeats in their final group-stage ties. The results underlined the fine margins at play at this level, with India competing strongly against two traditional Asian powerhouses but falling just short of topping their groups. With knockout badminton offering no second chances, the focus now shifts to recovery, tactical clarity and composure against two of the continent’s most formidable teams.
Men fall short against Japan despite strong start
The Indian men’s team had already sealed quarterfinal qualification before facing Japan in Group C, allowing the team management to rest key singles players Lakshya Sen and Kidambi Srikanth. Even with a slightly reshuffled lineup, India produced a spirited performance and pushed Japan all the way before going down 2–3.
Ayush Shetty set the tone in the opening singles, delivering a mature display against Kenta Nishimoto. After splitting the first two games, Shetty dominated the decider with aggressive court coverage and precise shot selection to clinch a 21-18, 15-21, 21-11 win and give India the early edge.
The advantage was doubled by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who once again proved their reliability in pressure situations. The Indian pair recovered from a mid-match dip to beat Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 21-18, 15-21, 21-12, putting India 2–0 up and firmly in control of the tie.
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Japan, however, responded decisively. HS Prannoy was unable to halt the shift in momentum, going down in straight games to Yushi Tanaka. The Japanese then sealed the tie by winning both the second men’s doubles and the third singles, denying India the group’s top spot.
Despite the loss, India’s depth and resilience were evident, and finishing second has now set up a challenging quarterfinal clash against Korea, a team known for its tactical discipline and strength in both singles and doubles.
Women edged out by Thailand after bright opening
Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s team suffered an identical 2–3 defeat against Thailand in Group Y. Like the men, India made a strong start but could not convert early momentum into a decisive result.
Teenager Tanvi Sharma once again underlined her growing stature on the continental stage. Playing in the absence of PV Sindhu, the world junior championship silver medallist showed remarkable composure to beat world No.16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in a gripping contest lasting just over an hour. Tanvi’s ability to close out the decider under pressure gave India a vital opening point.
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Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand followed up with another hard-fought win, overcoming Tidapron Kleebyeesun and Nattamon Laisuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11. The Indian pair absorbed the disappointment of dropping the second game and responded with authority in the decider to put India 2–0 ahead.
From there, the tie swung Thailand’s way. Rakshitha Sree and Malvika Bansod both went down in their singles matches, while the scratch doubles combination of Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra could not hold off Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan, losing in three games after winning the opener.
The defeat meant India finished second in Group Y and will now face China in the quarterfinals, arguably the toughest possible draw. China’s depth and consistency make them favourites, but India’s spirited group-stage performances suggest the tie may be closer than the rankings indicate.
With both teams now in the quarterfinals, the emphasis for India will be on converting strong starts into complete performances. The group-stage ties showed that India can match Asia’s best across individual matches, but sustaining momentum across all five rubbers remains the key challenge.
The women will need inspired performances across singles and doubles to trouble China, while the men must be sharp against a Korean side that thrives on structured play and patience. As the tournament enters its decisive phase, India’s blend of youth and experience will be tested in full measure, with a place in the semifinals at stake.
