Badminton at Asian Games: PV Sindhu plays in India bumping Kazakhstan, reaches quarter

India got off to a comfortable start to their women’s badminton team campaign at the Asian Games, sweeping past Kazakhstan 3-0 in the round of 16 in Aichi-Nagoya on Sunday. None of India’s three singles matches lasted more than 25 minutes as the women’s team cruised to emphatic victories without needing any of their doubles pairs to take the court.

Asian Games Day 1 Highlights

PV Sindhu set the tone in the opening rubber, edging out Kamila Smagula 21-7, 21-9. The former world champion took just 20 minutes to put India 1-0 up.

Unnati Hooda then increased India’s lead with another commanding performance to beat Alissa Kulesh 21-7, 21-10. Tanvi Sharma finished the job at third singles, defeating Diana Namenova 21-5, 21-10.

The second doubles pair of Kavipriya Selvam and Simran Singhi and the first doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela were not required as India closed out the tie 3-0.

A win sets up a much tighter quarter-final challenge against Japan on September 22 for a spot in the medal rounds.

India have won just one medal in the women’s team event at the Asian Games, a bronze in 2014. Breaking new ground will require a major step up against a strong Japanese side.

Sindhu and the Treesa-Gayatri combination are likely to be crucial for India’s progress, while Unnati or Tanvi will have to contribute to win the remaining singles.

Meanwhile, the Indian men’s team will begin their Asian Games campaign against Bangladesh on Monday in Nagoya.

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

20 Sep 2026 13:34 IST