Indian badminton fans witnessed history on Wednesday evening in Paris as Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto scripted one of the finest moments for mixed doubles in the country’s history at the world championships.
The unseeded Indian pair stunned World No.5 and current Asian champions Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Tsuet of Hong Kong, coming from a game down to register a memorable 19-21, 21-12, 21-15 win in the Round of 16 at the BWF World Championships.
The victory not only propelled them into the quarterfinals of the World Championships, but also ended a long wait of seven years for India to reach this stage in mixed doubles. More remarkably, it brought back memories of 2010, when Jwala Gutta and V. Diju had made the quarterfinals in Paris as well. Fifteen years later, in the same city, Dhruv and Tanisha carried forward that legacy.
The Match: From Nervous Start to Commanding Finish
The contest began with the Indian pair under pressure. Tang and Tse, experienced campaigners on the world stage, settled quickly and forced Dhruv and Tanisha onto the defensive. The Hong Kong duo exploited gaps with their flat exchanges and steady defense, taking the opening game 21-19.
For a moment, it looked like the script would follow the usual pattern India’s mixed doubles hopefuls battling hard but falling short against top-tier opposition. But what unfolded next was a remarkable display of resilience and tactical maturity from the Indian duo.
In the second game, Dhruv and Tanisha switched gears. Tanisha began to control the front court with her quick reflexes and net interceptions, while Dhruv unleashed his power from the back, targeting the Hong Kong defense with sharp smashes and precise placements. Their improved rhythm showed immediately as they raced to a 21-12 win, leveling the match.
The deciding game showcased the Indians at their very best. Combining aggression with composure, they built early leads and never allowed Tang and Tse to dictate play. At 15-15, the match was still delicately poised, but the Indians produced a stunning sequence of rallies, winning six consecutive points to seal the contest 21-15. Their celebration at match point said it all a mix of disbelief, relief, and joy at achieving something historic.
Indian badminton has seen tremendous growth in singles and men’s doubles over the last decade, but mixed doubles has largely lagged behind. Since the days of Jwala Gutta and V. Diju, who had memorable runs at the World Championships and on the Super Series circuit, India has struggled to consistently produce pairs capable of competing with the world’s elite.
The last Indian mixed doubles pair to reach the quarterfinals at the World Championships was Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Ashwini Ponnappa back in 2017. Before that, the Gutta-Diju pair had achieved the feat in 2009 and 2010. That makes Dhruv and Tanisha only the third Indian pair in history to make it this far at the World Championships.
Their performance in Paris represents not just a personal breakthrough but also a significant milestone for Indian badminton. It signals that with the right combinations and support, India can once again be competitive in a discipline often dominated by China, Indonesia, and the East Asian powerhouses.
The Context: From Early Struggles to a Big Upset
The journey to this historic win wasn’t straightforward. In their opening match of the tournament, Dhruv and Tanisha had got a bye in round 1 and then defeated Irish pair in straight games
The Indians grew into the tournament. Against Tang and Tse, the current Asian champions and runners-up at the Singapore Open, they looked fearless. The contrast in performance highlighted both their adaptability and their mental toughness qualities that have often separated the very best pairs from the rest.
For Dhruv, this is his second appearance in a World Championships quarterfinal, having previously made it in men’s doubles. For Tanisha, at just 21, this marks a new career high and a stepping stone towards establishing herself as India’s leading mixed doubles specialist.
The commentators summed it up perfectly: “Wang and Tse did nothing wrong and still lost.” That is the hallmark of a pair playing at a world-class level. For India, the win shows that the gap in mixed doubles can be bridged with smart pairings and consistent exposure at top events.
Dhruv and Tanisha’s playing styles complement each other well. Dhruv, with his strong backcourt presence, and Tanisha, with her sharp net instincts, bring balance to the partnership. Their ability to adapt mid-match, as seen against Tang and Tse, is exactly what India has lacked in this discipline for years.
This result also adds weight to the argument that mixed doubles deserves more investment and structured development in India’s badminton ecosystem. With Paris 2024 behind and Los Angeles 2028 looming, nurturing pairs like Dhruv and Tanisha could open new medal opportunities.
The path only gets tougher from here. In the quarterfinals, the Indians will face the Malaysian pair of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, another highly consistent duo on the world circuit. Chen and Toh are known for their tactical nous and steady performances in pressure moments, and they will test Dhruv and Tanisha in new ways.
Still, the confidence from toppling a World No.5 pair cannot be understated. For Dhruv and Tanisha, this is not just about one upset it is about proving that they belong at this stage. A win in the quarterfinals would guarantee India a historic medal in mixed doubles, something the nation has never achieved before.
Fifteen years ago, Jwala Gutta and V. Diju had stormed into the World Championships quarterfinals in Paris, giving Indian fans hope that mixed doubles could thrive. In 2025, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto rekindled that dream in the same city.
Their victory over Tang and Tse will be remembered not just for the upset but for the manner in which it was achieved. From a shaky start to complete domination, it was the kind of performance that signals the arrival of a new force.
For Indian badminton, it was an evening to cherish. For Dhruv and Tanisha, it was a night that may just change the trajectory of their careers. One more win, and they will etch their names in history as India’s first mixed doubles medalists at the World Championships.
