Asian Games 2026: India cruise past Kazakhstan to enter women's team event quarter-finals
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PV Sindhu started their campaign with a victory
The Indian women’s badminton team advanced to the quarter-finals of the team event at Asian Games 2026 after defeating Kazakhstan 3-0 without breaking a sweat.
Veteran PV Sindhu started the match with her fiery shots and displayed her sporting prowess in every shot. The two-time Olympic medalist was up against Kazakhstan’s Kamila Smagulova.
The Kazakh opponent failed to keep up with the face of the Rio Olympics silver medalist, losing the opening game 7-2 before going down with a scoreline of 9-21 in the second.
Related: Asian Games 2026: India’s projected path to badminton women’s team event final
In the second singles game of the team fixture, Unnati Hooda locked horns against Kazakh shuttler Alissa Kuleshova.
Sindhu gave India a 1-0 lead with her triumphant performance, and later Unnati Hooda extended the lead. She secured the first game comfortably, 21-7, as Kuleshova was failing to find an answer to the Indian shuttler’s attacking questions.
Soon, Unnati Hooda put India 2-0 against Kazakhstan in their opening game by winning the second set 21-10.
In the third match, which proved to be the decider between the two Asian sides, Tanvi Sharma took on Diana Namenova.
Related: Asian Games 2026: India’s next-gen women’s singles badminton stars ready for breakout
Tanvi started exactly where Unnati had left off. She won the first game with ease. Tanvi, who also won the Chinese Taipei Open last month, could close the distance between Team India and the podium.
The 17-year-old finished the match with a 21-10 win in the second game, helping India advance in Japan.
India’s singles shutters finished the game in three matches; as a result, the doubles pairs, Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela, who were set to face Alissa Kuleshova/Diana Namenova, and Kavipriya Selvam/Simran Singhi, who were about to lock horns against Nargiza Rakhmetullayeva/Aisha Zhumabek, did not have to come on the court to be tested.
What is next for Team India in the women’s badminton team event at Asian Games 2026?
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With a win over Kazakhstan in the first round, Team India will face hosts Japan in the quarter-finals. The hosts received a bye to the Round of 16. The match will be played on Tuesday, September 22, from 6:00 AM onwards.
Meanwhile, China, the top seed and favourite to win the championships, could face India in the final, courtesy of the knockout format of the team event.
What was the result of India vs Kazakhstan Round of 16 match in women’s badminton team event at Asian Games 2026?
India beat Kazakhstan 3-0 in the women’s badminton team event, with PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, and Tanvi Sharma all winning their singles matches.
Who will India face next in the women’s badminton team event at Asian Games 2026?
India will host Japan in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, September 22, from 6:00 AM onwards.
What is Indian women’s badminton team’s projected path to the gold medal at Asian Games 2026?
Quarterfinal – Japan
Semifinal – South Korea
Final – China
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