Mixed Fortunes for India at Badminton Asia Championships 2025 as Pair of Dhruv-Tanisha win but other doubles pairs lose
The 2025 edition of the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC) is underway, and for India, it’s been a roller-coaster start. With several Indian doubles pairs in action, fans were treated to everything — thrilling comebacks, missed opportunities, and standout performances.
Let’s break down how the Indian shuttlers fared across categories on Day 1 of the main draw.
The biggest highlight for India came from the mixed doubles duo of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto, ranked World No. 18. Facing the higher-ranked Malaysian pair Hoo Pang Ron / Cheng Su Yin (WR 14), the Indians showed resilience and class to turn the match around after a shaky start.
Losing the first game 15-21, they regrouped and completely dominated the next two games with clinical attacking play and smart mid-court control, eventually winning 15-21, 21-12, 21-11. This was a crucial win, not only for rankings but also for confidence, considering the Malaysians are known for their fast-paced, counter-attacking style.
This is Dhruv and Tanisha’s second major win over a top-20 pair, following their triumph over Singapore’s Terry Hee / Jessica Tan in the Odisha Masters 2023 final.
Their recent progress is promising, and they’ll now face Ye Hong Wei / Nicole Chan of Chinese Taipei (WR 27), who pulled off an upset of their own by knocking out Guo Xin Wa / Chen Fang Hui. With that quarter of the draw wide open, the Indians have a real shot at going deep.
Karunakaran/Aadya Falter in Crucial Moments
On the flip side, Karunakaran and Aadya, an emerging mixed doubles pair, suffered a heartbreaking loss in the opening round. In a match where momentum shifted frequently, the Indian pair lost 18-21, 19-21.
The first game was neck-and-neck until 18-all, where a couple of nervous errors gave their opponents the edge. However, the real blow came in the second game.
Having surged to a comfortable 18-11 lead, Karunakaran/Aadya seemed set to force a decider. But what followed was a collapse as their opponents won 10 of the last 11 points to seal the match. The missed opportunity will sting, but the performance had enough positives to build on — particularly their sharpness at the net and transitions from defense to attack.
Men’s Doubles: Sai Pruthvi Puts Up a Fight Against Olympic Champ
In the men’s doubles section, Pruthvi Sai and his partner faced a daunting challenge in the form of Wang Chi Lin, the 2020 Olympic gold medalist, paired with Chiu Hsiang Chieh. The Indians started well, especially in the first game where they made a spirited comeback from 14-19 to 19-all, but couldn’t close it out. The experience and composure of the Taiwanese duo made the difference as they took the match 21-19, 21-12.
Sai’s tenacity and tactical play during the first game showed promise, but the difference in pace and experience was evident in the second. Still, against a vastly experienced pair, it was a respectable showing.
Mixed Doubles: Ruthvika/Rohan Falter After Bright Start
India’s campaign began with a close loss in the mixed doubles as Ruthvika Shivani and Rohan Kapoor (WR 31) went down to Yap Roy King / Siow Yee Lian of Malaysia — a lower-ranked but rising pair.
Ruthvika and Rohan started the match confidently, taking the opening game 21-18 with aggressive front-court play and sharp drives.
However, they couldn’t sustain that momentum. The Malaysians adjusted their strategy, started targeting the Indian backcourt more effectively, and turned the match around to win 18-21, 21-17, 21-17. This is Yap/Siow’s second major win, having previously beaten the Singaporean top duo Terry Hee / Jessica Tan in the Odisha Masters final — proving they’re no pushovers.
While it’s a disappointing start for the Indians, the match was close throughout, and they’ll need to focus on improving their defensive transitions to stay in rallies against top-tier pairs.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, Indian eyes will be on Dhruv/Tanisha, who now carry the nation’s hopes in mixed doubles. With the draw opening up, a deep run could have a major impact on their Olympic qualification prospects.
Meanwhile, the younger pairs like Karunakaran/Aadya and Ruthvika/Rohan will need to regroup and use these close matches as learning experiences. Their raw potential is clear, but the consistency and match temperament against higher-ranked pairs is the next step.
In men’s doubles, the Indian bench strength is slowly being tested against top-level opposition, and while wins haven’t come yet, the experience will be invaluable.
India’s start to the Badminton Asia Championships 2025 has been a mix of high points and heartbreaks. While Dhruv and Tanisha’s superb win gives fans something to cheer for, the narrow losses for other Indian pairs highlight how crucial momentum and composure are at this level.
As the tournament moves into the Round of 16, all eyes will be on how India’s top-performing pairs handle the pressure and capitalize on their opportunities. The road to the podium is tough, but if the fighting spirit seen on Day 1 is any indication, there’s reason for cautious optimism.
