India Show Nerve and Depth to Outlast Singapore, March into Badminton Asia Team Championships Quarterfinals

India’s men’s badminton team produced a performance of grit, nerve and depth to secure qualification for the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026, edging past a dangerous Singapore side 3–2 in a tense group-stage encounter that went down to the final match.

Against a team widely viewed as one of the tournament’s dark horses, India held its composure under pressure to open its campaign with a result that could shape the rest of the tournament.

The tie, played in front of a packed house, had all the ingredients of a classic team championship battle momentum swings, nervy deciders and individual brilliance. For India, the victories came through the experienced men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, the rising singles player Ayush Shetty, and the battle-hardened former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth. Those three wins were just enough to get India over the line after Singapore took two matches to push the tie to its limit.

India began the tie with its most reliable weapon in team competitions, In the first singles, Loh Kean Yew, a former world champion and one of Asia’s most dangerous attackers, took on Lakshya Sen. The Indian struggled to find his rhythm against Loh’s relentless pace and steep attacking angles. Despite flashes of resistance, Sen was unable to wrest back control, and Loh powered Singapore to their first point with a hard-fought three-game win.

Satwik and Chirag. The former world No. 1 pair have built a reputation for delivering when it matters, and once again they set the tone. Facing the Singaporean combination of Terry Hee and Loh Kean Yew a scratch pairing put together for this tie the Indian duo played with authority and precision. Their superior understanding, speed on the court and ability to control the net allowed them to take charge early and close out the contest in straight games, 21–10, 21–8. It was exactly the kind of statement start India needed, establishing both psychological and tactical advantage.

Suddenly, the tie was level, and the sense of uncertainty returned.

India then handed the court to one of its brightest young prospects, Ayush Shetty, and the 19-year-old responded with a performance that underlined why he is being viewed as a long-term pillar of Indian men’s singles. Against Singapore’s Jason Teh, Ayush played with maturity beyond his years, mixing patience with timely aggression. He controlled the rallies from the backcourt and refused to be dragged into reckless exchanges. Winning 21–17, 21–15, he restored India’s lead and gave the team a crucial psychological lift.

With India 2–1 ahead, the focus shifted to the second men’s doubles, Singapore’s pair played with freedom, attacking sharply and capitalising on any hesitation from the Indians. Despite a spirited effort, the Indian duo could not stem the flow, going down 21-8, 21-23, 20-22. Once again, the tie was level at 2–2, setting up a dramatic final singles match.

All eyes turned to Kidambi Srikanth. The former world No. 1 has seen it all in his long international career big finals, Olympic battles and pressure-cooker situations. And once more, he was asked to carry India through a decisive moment. Standing between India and a place in the quarterfinals was Singapore’s J Koh, a young, fearless player with nothing to lose.

Srikanth approached the match with clarity. He kept the shuttle flat and fast, denied Ng time to set up his attacks and used his trademark anticipation at the net to force errors. The Indian took the first game 21–15 and, when Ng attempted to fight back in the second, Srikanth stayed calm, closing it out 21–16. With that, India sealed the tie 3–2, sparking celebrations from the bench and the travelling support.

The significance of this victory extends beyond just one tie. Singapore came into the tournament as a genuine threat, boasting depth in singles and unpredictable doubles combinations. To overcome them in the very first match not only boosts India’s confidence but also sends a message to the rest of the field that this Indian team has both experience and emerging talent capable of delivering under pressure.

It also highlights the growing balance in India’s men’s squad. While Satwik and Chirag remain the spearhead in doubles, and Srikanth provides invaluable experience in singles, the emergence of players like Ayush Shetty gives the team a new dimension. In a long tournament, that depth can be the difference between a quarterfinal exit and a medal run.

With qualification for the quarterfinals now secured, India can look ahead with greater assurance. Their next challenge comes against Japan, one of Asia’s traditional powerhouses. The clash promises to be another high-stakes battle, but after navigating the test posed by Singapore, India will head into it believing they belong among the continent’s elite.

For now, though, this 3–2 victory will be remembered as a defining moment a night when India’s men showed they could fight, adapt and hold their nerve when everything was on the line.