Thailand stun defending champs India to Top Group Y at Badminton Asia Team C’ships

Defending champions India went down 2-3 to Thailand in their second Group Y encounter of the Women’s Division at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China, on Thursday, conceding the top spot in the group to their opponents.

Despite the loss, both India and Thailand advanced to the knockout stage, with Thailand finishing as group leaders and India settling for second place.

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India began the tie on a strong note, with world No. 42 Tanvi Sharma producing a superb performance to upset world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in a hard-fought match lasting one hour and three minutes.

The early momentum continued as the doubles pair of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly extended India’s advantage, overcoming Tidapron Kleebyeesun and Nattamon Laisuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11 to give India a 2-0 lead.

Thailand, however, mounted a comeback in the third rubber, with 19-year-old Pitchamon Opatniputh defeating Rakshitha Ramraj 21-19, 21-17 to pull one point back for her team. The tie was then levelled after Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra went down to Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan in a closely contested doubles match, losing 21-19, 14-21, 15-21.

The decisive fifth match saw Malvika Bansod fall to Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-18, 21-14 in a 40-minute contest, sealing the tie for Thailand and confirming their position at the top of Group Y.

The Badminton Asia Team Championships also serve as the continental qualifying event for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, scheduled to be held in Horsens, Denmark, in April-May. India’s women enter the tournament as defending champions, while China are the reigning men’s titleholders. India’s men have previously secured bronze medals in 2016 and 2020.

India had opened their title defence on a positive note on Wednesday, registering a dominant 5-0 victory over Myanmar in their first Group Y match.