Asian Games 2026: India Storm into Men’s Badminton Semifinals, Secure First Medal

India secured its first badminton medal at the Asian Games 2026 after producing a superb 3-0 victory over hosts Japan in the men’s team quarterfinal on Tuesday.

The defending Asian Games silver medallists overcame a difficult opening singles contest, held their nerve in a tense doubles encounter and then completed the clean sweep through Ayush Shetty. The result guarantees India at least a bronze medal and sends the team into the semifinals, where China is likely to await in a repeat of the previous edition’s final.

The victory was built on three very different performances, beginning with a remarkable comeback from Lakshya Sen.

India needed a strong start, but Lakshya Sen found himself in serious trouble against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka. The Japanese shuttler, a World Championships silver medallist, controlled much of the opening game and eventually won it 21-11.

Lakshya responded emphatically in the second. The Indian produced a dramatic turnaround, taking advantage of Naraoka's errors while using his defence to keep seemingly lost rallies alive. At the interval, Lakshya was ahead 11-2, having completely reversed the momentum of the contest.

The deciding game, however, again appeared to be slipping away from him.

Naraoka moved ahead and was leading 13-19, leaving Lakshya with a huge deficit to overcome. What followed was one of the most impressive passages of India's quarterfinal.

Lakshya produced eight consecutive points, repeatedly extending rallies through exceptional defence before eventually completing the comeback. The Indian won the deciding game and secured the opening point for India, putting the team 1-0 ahead.

The victory also gave India an enormous psychological boost ahead of the doubles.

Satwik-Chirag withstand Japan pressure

Next came India's established doubles combination of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who faced Japan's former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi. The Indian pair entered the contest with a 5-2 head-to-head advantage, but the quarterfinal was far from straightforward.

Hoki and Kobayashi began strongly and held an 11-7 lead at the interval in the opening game. India gradually found its rhythm, however, increasing the pace and putting greater pressure on the Japanese pair. Satwik and Chirag levelled the game at 13-13 before moving ahead at 17-16. The closing stages became increasingly tense, but the Indians held their nerve to win the opening game 21-18.

The second game was even more closely fought.

India led 11-9 at the interval, but neither pair was able to establish a decisive advantage. The score moved through 19-19 and 20-20 before India finally created another opportunity. Chirag's aggressive play helped create match points, although India squandered three opportunities before finally closing out the contest.

The Indians eventually won 24-22, completing a straight-game victory.

The result put India 2-0 ahead and one victory away from the semifinals.

The responsibility for completing the clean sweep fell on Asian Games debutant Ayush Shetty, who faced Japan's Koki Watanabe. Ayush started strongly and quickly established control. He took the first game 21-10, producing a confident performance against the Japanese shuttler.

The second game was considerably more tense. Ayush had built a healthy advantage and led 11-5 at the interval, but Watanabe fought back strongly. The Japanese player narrowed the gap and eventually levelled the score at 19-19, putting the pressure firmly back on the Indian.

Ayush, however, managed to refocus at the crucial moment. He won the next two points to take the game 21-19, completing the straight-game victory and sealing India's 3-0 quarterfinal win. The Indian dugout erupted in celebration, with Chirag Shetty among those most animated after the decisive victory.

The clean sweep means India are guaranteed at least a bronze medal in the men's team badminton event. It is another significant result for an Indian men's team that won the silver medal at the previous Asian Games.

The victory also underlines the depth available to India in the team competition. Lakshya produced a remarkable comeback against a highly accomplished opponent, Satwik and Chirag defeated former world champions in a tense doubles encounter, and Ayush handled the pressure of the deciding match on his Asian Games debut.

China could await in semifinal

India's likely semifinal opponent is China, setting up a potential rematch of the previous Asian Games men's team final. The Chinese team represents another major challenge, but India will enter the semifinal with the confidence of having already secured a medal.

For now, the Indian team can celebrate a memorable quarterfinal victory on Japanese soil. Lakshya Sen turned around a 13-19 deficit, Satwik-Chirag survived a nervy finish, and Ayush Shetty closed the door on Japan. India won 3-0 — and guaranteed itself an Asian Games medal.