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Hosts India began their mixed team campaign for the Suhandinata Cup in style, registering a commanding win over neighbours Nepal, while Sri Lanka pulled off a thrilling comeback victory against the UAE in a nerve-wracking Group H encounter on the opening day of the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 at the National Centre of Excellence here on Monday.
Second seeds India fielded an experimental line-up but had no trouble cruising to a 45-18, 45-17 victory in their group opener. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, capitalised on the UAE’s tactical changes to prevail 30-45, 45-34, 45-44 after a dramatic decider.
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All the traditional powerhouses, including 14-time champions China, former winners Indonesia, and South Korea, also began their campaigns on a strong note, comfortably defeating their opponents in straight sets.
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This edition of the mixed team championship is being played under a new best-of-three relay scoring format, in which all five matches contribute to a single race to 45 points. The team reaching 45 first wins the set, and coaches are allowed to substitute players between sets, adding a new tactical dimension to the competition.
India used the substitution rule effectively to give most of their players some match exposure, fielding different combinations in all three doubles events and rotating players in singles across both sets against Nepal.
The former World Junior No. 1 boys’ doubles duo of Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu got India off to a flying start with a 9-3 win over Kabir KC and Suprim Panta, setting the tone for a one-sided contest.
In girls’ singles, Unnati Hooda and Asian U-19 Championships bronze medallist Tanvi Sharma were clinical in their respective matches, while Suryansh Rawat and Rounak Chouhan eased through their games to wrap up an effortless victory for the hosts.
While most of India’s players had prior experience in a similar relay-scoring format during the Asian U-19 Mixed Team Championships, it was Unnati’s first time playing under this system. The China Open quarterfinalist said her biggest adjustment was changing her pre-match routine rather than her playing approach.
“I tend to take my time with the warm up in the 21-point game. But here we have to be at our best from the first point and so my warm-up included a lot more court time as we don’t get any time to warm up between the match,” she added. “Otherwise, there was no problem as such in the match.”
Elsewhere, there were no surprises as other top nations eased through their openers, China beat Ghana 45-14, 45-10; Korea defeated Hungary 45-22, 45-29; Chinese Taipei overcame Brazil 45-24, 45-19; and Indonesia got past Philippines 45-27, 45-40.
The most gripping tie of the day came between Sri Lanka and the UAE, which went right down to the wire.
After losing the first set rather comfortably, Sri Lanka turned the tables thanks to the UAE’s decision to replace Bharath Latheesh with Riyan Malhan in boys’ singles. Keneth Aruggoda, who had lost 4-9 in the first set, bounced back strongly to win 9-6 in the second, helping his team draw level and force a decider.
Aruggoda gave Sri Lanka another early advantage in the deciding set with a 9-5 win over Latheesh, and Ranthima Liyanage extended the lead to 18-8 against Prakriti Bharath. However, the UAE pair of Malhan and Latheesh reignited their team’s hopes with a 15-9 victory over Sanuda Ariyasingha and Thisath Rupathunga, closing the gap to 23-27.
That set the stage for a dramatic finish in the final girls’ doubles match. Starting the set trailing 30-36, UAE’s Barath and Mysha Omar Khan needed to win 15 points against Sandathi Hewagallage and Pawani Illeperumaarachchi to snatch victory for their team. The UAE duo mounted a brave fightback, reaching 44-44 and even serving for the match, but couldn’t close it out, as Sri Lanka held their nerve to clinch the deciding point and the tie.
India will next face Sri Lanka in their second Group H match on Tuesday, before wrapping up the group stage against the UAE on Wednesday.
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