Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Indian Teams Exit in Quarterfinal Stage

India’s challenge at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 concluded on February 6 after both the men’s and women’s teams bowed out in the quarterfinal stage.

The women’s team, which created history by winning gold in 2024, failed to defend their title, losing 0-3 to a strong Chinese side. The absence of PV Sindhu due to injury proved costly, with youngster Tanvi Sharma unable to overcome world No. 10 Gao Fangjie in the opening singles.

Meanwhile, the men’s team, missing stalwarts Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Lakshya Sen, fell 1-3 to South Korea. Despite spirited efforts, India could not match Korea’s depth and consistency.

Key Highlights

• Venue: Qingdao, China
• Women’s Team: Lost 0-3 to China; title defence ended
• Men’s Team: Lost 1-3 to South Korea in quarterfinals
• Key Absences: PV Sindhu (injury), Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Lakshya Sen
• Historic Context: Women had won gold in 2024, marking India’s first-ever title at the event
• Impact: India’s campaign ended earlier than expected, highlighting the importance of full-strength squads

India’s exit underscores the challenges of competing without top players, but also reflects the growing competitiveness of Asian badminton.

Sources: The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Badminton Asia, Sportskeeda