PV Sindhu fails to impress, India women's badminton team knocked out of quarters at Asian Games 2026

India’s women’s badminton team bowed out of the Asian Games 2026 after Japan secured a 3-1 victory in the quarterfinals. PV Sindhu, India’s most experienced campaigner, got off to a strong start, giving India an early advantage in the tie against Akane Yamaguchi by winning the first set 23-21. The Indian two-time Olympic medallist repeatedly fought back after falling behind, eventually edging the set after several changes in momentum.

Yamaguchi responded in the second set, taking it 21-18. Sindhu then found



herself facing a sizeable deficit in the decider and could not recover. Yamaguchi led 11-4 at the interval and went on to close out the match 21-11, putting Japan ahead.

Unnati Hooda was unable to level the contest against Tomoka Miyazaki. After losing the first game 16-21, Hooda produced a strong start in the second and held an 11-4 advantage at the interval. Miyazaki, however, recovered and overturned the deficit before winning the game 21-18. Japan consequently moved within one victory of the quarterfinal win.