India at Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, squad
Defending champions India face tough challenge without PV Sindhu.
The Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 will commence on February 3 and conclude on February 8 in Qingdao, China. The tournament features separate men’s and women’s team competitions, with India fielding strong squads in both categories despite a significant setback in the women’s division.
India’s women’s team enters as defending champions after scripting history by winning their maiden team gold at the previous edition in Malaysia.
However, the absence of two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who withdrew due to a hamstring issue, has significantly impacted their title defense prospects.
Women’s Team: Youth Takes Center Stage
With Sindhu unavailable, the responsibility falls on India’s talented young brigade led by 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma.
The Punjab shuttler, who was part of the 2024 gold-winning squad, has emerged as a serious contender after claiming silver at the World Junior Championships in Guwahati and reaching the final of the US Open Super 300.
Tanvi has demonstrated her ability to compete at the elite level with impressive performances at the India Open and Indonesia Masters, where she pushed World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi and World No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki to three-game battles despite ultimately losing.
Eighteen-year-old Unnati Hooda arrives in strong form following an exceptional 2025 season that saw her reach a career-high World No. 23 ranking.
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Her notable victory over Sindhu at the China Open and her status as the youngest Indian to win a BWF Super 100 title underscore her potential. Unnati capped 2025 by winning the Odisha Masters, showcasing her readiness for high-pressure situations.
Malvika Bansod and Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj complete the singles lineup, while Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand lead the doubles charge.
The experienced pair, who successfully defended their Syed Modi International title in December, will be supported by Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto.
India’s women face Myanmar in their opening Group Y encounter on February 4, followed by a crucial match against Thailand on February 5.
Men’s Team:
The men’s contingent appears better positioned for success, featuring a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents. Bronze medallists in 2016 and 2020, the squad retains the core that delivered India’s historic Thomas Cup triumph in 2022.
World No. 13 Lakshya Sen leads the team alongside former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth and veteran HS Prannoy, all three being World Championships medallists.
Lakshya enters with solid momentum after winning the Australian Open and finishing runner-up at the Hong Kong Open. Srikanth has also reached finals at the Malaysia Masters and Syed Modi International, demonstrating continued competitiveness despite his career stage.
Rising star Ayush Shetty, the 2025 US Open Super 300 champion, and Tharun Mannepalli provide additional firepower in singles, giving India considerable depth in the category.
The doubles department revolves around former World No. 1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, two-time World Championships bronze medallists.
Despite a modest start to 2026 with quarterfinal and Round of 16 exits at the Malaysia Open and India Open respectively, the star duo will be hungry to regain their dominant form. Support comes from Sai Pratheek K, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, and Hariharan Amsakarunan.
Drawn in Group C, India’s men open against Singapore on February 4 before facing a tougher examination against Japan on February 5.
Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 Tournament Format
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals on February 6, with semifinals scheduled for February 7 and finals on February 8. Each tie consists of five matches across all disciplines, with the team winning three matches claiming victory.
Indian Squads for Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026
Men: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, HS Prannoy, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, Sai Pratheek K, Hariharan Amsakarunan
Women: Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Malvika Bansod, Surya Charisma Tamiri, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Tanisha Crasto
India’s Schedule at Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026
Group Stage
February 4 (Tuesday) 08:30 AM – India Women vs Myanmar (Group Y)02:30 PM – India Men vs Singapore (Group C)
February 5 (Wednesday) 08:30 AM – India Women vs Thailand (Group Y)02:30 PM – India Men vs Japan (Group C)
Knockouts
February 6 (Thursday) – QuarterfinalsFebruary 7 (Friday) – SemifinalsFebruary 8 (Saturday) – Finals
Where to watch Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 in India?
The Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 will be live-streamed on the Sony Sports Network. The action will also be available on the Badminton Asia official YouTube channel.
When and where will the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 be held?
The tournament will take place from February 3 to February 8, 2026, in Qingdao, China.
Why is PV Sindhu not playing in the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026?
PV Sindhu has withdrawn from the tournament due to a hamstring injury, which has affected India’s women’s team preparations.
Who is leading India’s women’s team in Sindhu’s absence at Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026?
The women’s team is led by young stars Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda, who are expected to play key roles in the title defense.
What is the format of the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026?
Teams compete in a group stage followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals. Each tie consists of five matches, and the first team to win three matches wins the tie.
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Ansh is a sports content creator and aspiring data scientist with a focus on Olympic sports like badminton and chess. A state-level badminton player and 1900+ rated chess enthusiast, his content has been reshared by top athletes including HS Prannoy and Vidit Gujrathi. Follow Ansh for the latest updates on your favorite sports!