The Indonesia Masters 2026 ended in disappointment and controversy for Indian badminton as both P. V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen crashed out at the quarterfinal stage, bringing India’s campaign in Jakarta to a premature close.
While Lakshya’s defeat came in the form of a hard-fought upset, Sindhu’s exit was overshadowed by one of the most contentious umpiring decisions of the season, turning what was already a high-pressure contest into a flashpoint that dominated post-match discussion.
Sindhu, ranked world No. 13, was up against one of her fiercest modern rivals, China’s Chen Yufei, the world No. 4 and top seed. The match was expected to be a stern test, but few could have predicted the drama that would unfold. Chen eventually won 21–13, 21–17, but the scoreline barely tells the full story of a quarterfinal that was defined as much by officiating controversy as by on-court play.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Sindhu versus Chen Yufei has been one of the most compelling rivalries in women’s badminton over the past decade. Their contrasting styles Sindhu’s power and steep attack against Chen’s exceptional defence and rally construction have produced some of the sport’s most memorable battles. In Jakarta, the stakes were once again high, with a semifinal spot and valuable ranking points on the line.
Chen started the opening game with authority, using her precision and consistency to keep Sindhu from finding any sustained rhythm. Sindhu struggled to impose her attacking game as Chen controlled the rallies, pushing her opponent deep and forcing errors. The Chinese shuttler closed out the first game 21–13, putting Sindhu under immediate pressure.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
The second game, however, was far more competitive and was where the controversy erupted. Sindhu began to find her range, mixing power with improved placement and beginning to unsettle Chen’s defensive structure. At a crucial stage of the game, a tight line call went against Sindhu. She had already exhausted her quota of challenges, and the shuttle was called in despite appearing to land wide.
The decision visibly rattled Sindhu. In the very next rally, another close call again went against her, and her disbelief was clear. She protested the call, and the umpire responded by issuing her a yellow card for misconduct. While yellow cards are not uncommon for protests, the situation quickly escalated.
Moments later, Sindhu was handed a red card for allegedly delaying play. Under badminton’s rules, a red card results in an immediate point to the opponent. What made the decision even more contentious was that Chen Yufei herself appeared not fully ready to serve at that moment. Television footage showed Chen still settling into position when the umpire penalised Sindhu for delay, leaving both players visibly surprised.
The red card effectively gifted Chen a crucial point at a pivotal stage of the second game. For Sindhu, it was a crushing blow. Not only had she lost a rally without playing it, but the psychological impact was severe. The momentum she had been building was abruptly halted, and the frustration was evident in her body language.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
From that point on, the match tilted decisively in Chen’s favour. Sindhu continued to fight, but the earlier intensity and composure she had shown were difficult to rediscover after such a dramatic interruption. Chen, by contrast, stayed calm, took advantage of the situation, and closed out the second game 21–17 to seal her place in the semifinals.
While Chen’s performance deserved credit—she was composed, consistent, and tactically sound—the narrative of the match was inevitably dominated by the umpiring decisions. The red card, in particular, was widely criticised as excessive and poorly timed, with many observers feeling it unnecessarily inserted the umpire into the spotlight of what should have been a player-driven contest.
Lakshya Sen’s Upset
Earlier in the day, India had already suffered a major blow when Lakshya Sen was knocked out of the men’s singles quarterfinals. The world No. 12 went down to Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeratsakul, ranked 44 in the world, in a gripping two-game battle that ended 21–18, 22–20.
Lakshya had opportunities in both games but was unable to convert key points. Teeratsakul played with remarkable composure, defending stoutly and capitalising on any opening Lakshya offered. The narrow margins highlighted how competitive the men’s field has become, with even lower-ranked players capable of pulling off significant upsets on the right day.
With both Sindhu and Lakshya eliminated, India’s challenge at the Indonesia Masters 2026 came to an end in the quarterfinals. For Lakshya, the defeat was a reminder of the fine line between victory and defeat at the elite level. For Sindhu, however, the exit was far more painful, shaped not just by Chen Yufei’s quality but by circumstances that left a lingering sense of injustice. The episode has reignited debate about officiating standards, the use of challenges, and the handling of player dissent in badminton.
While discipline and respect for officials are essential, many felt the red card was an unnecessary and disproportionate response in such a high-stakes match.
For Indian badminton fans, the day ended with heartbreak and frustration. Yet, as the season continues, both Sindhu and Lakshya will look to put Jakarta behind them and refocus on the next opportunities. The Indonesia Masters may have ended in controversy, but the larger journey of India’s top shuttlers in 2026 is far from over.
