India’s campaign at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2025 ended in disappointment as they bowed out in the quarter-finals with a 0-3 defeat against Japan on February 14 in Qingdao, China. The Indian contingent, which had secured a historic bronze medal in the 2023 edition of the tournament, entered this year’s competition with high expectations of making a deeper run. However, despite boasting a formidable squad featuring some of the top-ranked players in world badminton, the team struggled to capitalize on their opportunities and failed to even reach the semi-finals, marking an underwhelming exit from the prestigious tournament.
The loss was particularly frustrating as India’s best doubles combinations—Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in men’s doubles, as well as Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly in women’s doubles—did not even get a chance to take the court. Japan secured three consecutive victories in the opening matches, rendering the last two fixtures unnecessary. This early elimination highlighted the challenges India faced in crucial encounters and raised concerns over their ability to deliver under pressure in team events.
The quarter-final tie commenced with the mixed doubles match, where Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto took on the experienced Japanese pair of Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito, ranked World No. 12. Despite an encouraging comeback in the second game, the Indian duo was unable to sustain their momentum and fell short in the deciding game, ultimately losing 21-13, 17-21, 21-13 in a hard-fought 61-minute contest. The defeat handed Japan an early 1-0 lead in the tie, putting India on the back foot right from the start.
The second match of the tie saw Malvika Bansod stepping up in women’s singles against the formidable World No. 8, Tomoka Miyazaki. The young Indian shuttler tried to put up resistance, but her Japanese opponent dominated the first game with sharp attacking strokes and excellent court coverage, winning it 21-12. Malvika fought back with greater intent in the second game, showing glimpses of her potential, but she was unable to force a decider, ultimately going down 21-12, 21-19. This loss extended Japan’s lead to 2-0, leaving India in a must-win situation for the remaining matches.
With India on the brink of elimination, all hopes rested on HS Prannoy, the country’s top men’s singles player, who was up against the higher-ranked Kenta Nishimoto. The World No. 13 Japanese shuttler took an early lead, winning the first game 21-14 with a mix of aggressive net play and well-timed smashes. However, Prannoy, known for his resilience, fought back in the second game with a determined display, clinching it 21-15 to push the match into a deciding game. Unfortunately for India, Nishimoto regained control in the third game, playing with superior accuracy and speed to wrap up the contest 21-14, 15-21, 21-12 in a grueling 77-minute battle. This result sealed Japan’s 3-0 victory and officially knocked India out of the tournament.
One of the biggest setbacks for India heading into the event was the absence of two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu, who had to withdraw from the competition due to an injury. Her presence could have added much-needed depth and experience to the singles lineup, potentially altering the outcome of crucial matches. In her absence, India’s women’s singles department struggled to make a significant impact, which was evident in Malvika Bansod’s defeat against Miyazaki.
For Indian badminton, this quarter-final exit serves as a learning experience and a wake-up call ahead of future international tournaments. While the team showcased individual talent, the inability to win decisive matches under pressure remains an area that needs improvement. The loss also underscores the importance of strengthening India’s mixed doubles and women’s singles departments, as well as ensuring that key players remain fit and available for such prestigious team competitions.
Despite the disappointment, India can take some positives from the tournament, particularly in terms of young players gaining exposure at the highest level. The focus now shifts to upcoming events, where the team will look to bounce back and regain momentum on the international stage.
