India’s badminton contingent is set to launch its Asian Games campaign in Nagoya this Sunday, with both the men’s and women’s teams aiming to build on their past successes. The men’s squad, fresh off a silver-medal performance at the previous edition, will look to go one better as they open their tournament against Bangladesh. Simultaneously, the women’s team will begin their quest for a second team medal—having previously secured bronze in Incheon in 2014—with an opening-round match against Kazakhstan.
The team competition serves as the curtain-raiser for the badminton schedule, with individual events slated to commence on September 25. Following their historic men's doubles gold in Hangzhou in 2023, the Indian camp enters the tournament with high expectations, bolstered by the presence of established stars and emerging talent across both divisions.
Navigating the Path to the Podium
While India is expected to progress past their opening opponents, the road ahead remains demanding. The men’s team faces a potential quarterfinal clash against a formidable Japanese side. Such a tie could feature a high-stakes encounter between world No. 14
The depth of the Indian men’s squad remains a focal point, with Ayush Shetty providing a significant boost following his recent upset victory over world No. 1 Shi Yuqi at the World Championships. Alongside him, the experienced Kidambi Srikanth and 2023 Asian Games bronze medallist HS Prannoy offer tactical flexibility. In the doubles category, the world No. 5 pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be pivotal, potentially facing the Japanese duo of Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi.
Women’s Squad Ready for Japan Test
The women’s team faces a similarly rigorous path. Should they overcome Kazakhstan, they are likely to meet second-seeded Japan in the quarterfinals. This matchup could pit two-time Olympic medallist
India’s doubles prospects have been significantly bolstered by the recent form of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand. After securing a maiden World Championships bronze last month—India’s first in the category since 2011—the pair has demonstrated their ability to compete with the world's best. Their recent victories over top-tier Japanese and Chinese opponents provide the Indian team with a vital edge as they look toward a potential semifinal showdown against Korea, where they would likely face the likes of An Se-young and the world champion duo of Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee.
