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India’s women’s badminton team suffered a disappointing defeat at the Asian Games 2026, losing 3-1 to Japan in the team event on Tuesday. Despite the presence of two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, India could not overcome Japan and crashed out of the competition.
The result also means India’s long wait for a medal in the women’s badminton team event continues. India last won a bronze medal in this event at the 2014 Asian Games.
PV Sindhu’s Defeat Gives Japan the Perfect Start Against India
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PV Sindhu faced familiar rival Akane Yamaguchi in the opening match of the tie. Sindhu started strongly and won a closely contested first game 23-21.
However, Yamaguchi made a strong comeback in the second game and secured a 21-18 victory. The Japanese star then dominated the deciding game, winning 21-11 to give Japan an early 1-0 lead.
Sindhu’s defeat put India under immediate pressure in the crucial team contest.
Unnati Hooda Falls as Japan Moves One Win Away From Victory
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India needed a victory in the second match to level the tie, but Tomoka Miyazaki had other plans.
The 20-year-old Japanese shuttler defeated Unnati Hooda 21-16, 21-18. Miyazaki maintained control throughout the contest and helped Japan extend its lead to 2-0.
With Japan just one win away from sealing the tie, India faced a must-win situation.
Treesa-Gayatri Shine to Keep India Alive in Asian Games Tie
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India finally got its first win through the women’s doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.
The Indian duo took on Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto and delivered an impressive performance. Treesa and Gayatri won 21-17, 21-16 to cut Japan’s lead to 2-1.
The victory gave India renewed hope of completing a comeback and staying alive in the Asian Games 2026 badminton team event.
Nozomi Okuhara Ends India’s Hopes With Dominant Win
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India’s hopes rested on young Tanvi Sharma in the fourth match. She faced former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in a high-pressure contest.
Okuhara produced a dominant performance and gave Sharma very little opportunity to settle. The Japanese shuttler won the match 21-12, 21-10 in just 18 minutes.
Her victory sealed Japan’s 3-1 win and ended India’s campaign in the women’s badminton team event.
Japan Knocks India Out 3-1 in Asian Games 2026 Badminton
Japan’s victory came after it won three of the four matches in the team tie. Yamaguchi, Miyazaki and Okuhara secured crucial victories for Japan, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand registered India’s only win.
India’s strong comeback hopes after the doubles victory were quickly ended by Okuhara in the fourth match.
India’s Women’s Badminton Medal Wait Continues After 2014
India’s exit is another setback in the women’s badminton team event at the Asian Games. The country last won a medal in this competition in 2014, when it secured bronze.
India entered the 2026 edition with hopes of ending that wait, but the team could not get past Japan. While Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand delivered a crucial win, Japan secured the remaining three victories.
With the 3-1 defeat, India’s women’s badminton team has been eliminated from the Asian Games 2026 team event, while the wait for another medal in this competition continues.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: India Beat Japan 49-24 in Kabaddi
