Defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty were knocked out in the opening round of the men’s doubles badminton competition at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. India, however, had some positive results, with Tanisha Crasto-Dhruv Kapila reaching the mixed doubles quarterfinals and Treesa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand progressing in women’s doubles.
Nagoya (Japan), September 2026: India's campaign in badminton at the Asian Games 2026 suffered a major setback on Friday as defending men's doubles champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty crashed out in the opening round after losing to Thailand's Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Peeratchai Sukphun.
The Indian pair, one of the country's leading doubles combinations, went down 21-12, 19-21, 14-21 in a match that lasted three games. Satwik and Chirag appeared in control after comfortably winning the opening game, but the Thai duo mounted a determined comeback to level the contest before sealing victory in the decider.
The defeat brought an early end to the title defence of the Indian pair and came on a mixed day for India's badminton contingent.
There was better news in the mixed doubles event, where Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila booked their place in the quarterfinals following a closely fought win over Malaysia's Shevon Jemie Lai and Soon Huat Goh.
The Indian combination prevailed 22-20, 24-22 in a tense second-round encounter. They kept their composure during the crucial stages of both games, edging the opening game before holding off the Malaysian challenge in the second. Tanisha and Dhruv will next meet China's Yan Zhe Feng and Dongping Huang in the quarterfinals.
India also progressed in women's doubles, with world championship medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advancing to the pre-quarterfinals. The Indian duo defeated Hong Kong, China's Lui Lok Lok and Tsang Hiu Yan 21-16, 16-21, 21-16.
Treesa and Gayatri made a strong beginning by taking the first game 21-16, but their opponents responded in the second to force a decider. The Indians regained control in the final game and closed out the contest 21-16 to move into the next round.
However, Hariharan Amsakarunan and R. Arjun Madathil could not progress in men's doubles. The Indian pair suffered a 14-21, 11-21 defeat against Indonesia's Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in straight games.
Earlier, Unnati Hooda provided another positive result for India in women's singles. She comfortably defeated North Korea's Mi Song Yu 21-9, 21-10 to advance to the second round.
Unnati dominated from the outset, preventing her opponent from settling into the contest. She wrapped up the opening game 21-9 and maintained her control in the second to complete a convincing straight-game victory.
