China beat India 3-1 in the semifinal, but the result secures the country’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the men’s team event
Ichinomiya City, Sep 2026 : India secured a historic bronze medal in the men’s team badminton competition at the 2026 Asian Games after defending champions China defeated them 3-1 in the semifinal at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Wednesday.
The medal marks the first time India have stood on the podium in the men’s team badminton event at the Asian Games. It is also only the second Asian Games badminton medal for India overall, following Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty’s men’s doubles gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
India entered the semifinal with confidence after defeating hosts Japan in the quarterfinals. That victory had already guaranteed the country its maiden medal in the men’s team event. However, against a strong Chinese side, India faced a formidable singles line-up and experienced doubles combinations.
Lakshya Sen opened the semifinal tie for India against former world champion Shi Yuqi. Sen remained competitive throughout the contest and stayed within striking distance in both games, but Shi held his nerve at crucial moments to win 21-16, 21-18 and put China ahead.
India responded strongly in the second tie through their leading men’s doubles combination, Satwik and Chirag. The reigning Asian Games men’s doubles champions took control against Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, securing a 21-11, 22-20 victory to level the semifinal at 1-1.
The third match again shifted the momentum in China’s favour. Ayush Shetty faced Li Shifeng, the defending Asian Games men’s singles champion. The young Indian put up a determined fight in the opening game, but Li managed to pull away at key stages before completing a 21-19, 21-13 win.
With China moving 2-1 ahead, the fourth tie became decisive. M. R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan took on He Ji Ting and Liu Yi in the men’s doubles encounter.
The Indian pair showed resilience after losing the opening game, fighting back to level the contest. The Chinese combination, however, regained control in the deciding game and eventually sealed a 21-16, 17-21, 21-9 victory.
China’s 3-1 win ended India’s hopes of reaching the final, but the Indian team still walked away with a landmark bronze medal.
India’s campaign in the badminton team events had begun with strong expectations. The women’s team, however, bowed out in the quarterfinals on Tuesday after suffering a 1-3 defeat against Japan.
With the men’s team assured of a historic bronze, attention will now shift to the individual badminton events. India’s leading players will seek to build on the team’s performance and add further medals to the country’s tally at the Asian Games.
The men’s team bronze represents another significant milestone for Indian badminton and adds to the sport’s growing medal record at the continental multi-sport event.
