India secured a medal in the men’s team badminton event at the Asian Games 2026 after sweeping hosts Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Lakshya Sen overcame a slow start to defeat Kodai Naraoka in three games and put India ahead before Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty doubled the advantage with a straight-game win in the men’s doubles.
Sen lost the opening game 11-21 but responded emphatically in the second, racing to a 19-4 advantage before closing it out 21-5. The Indian then faced a stiff challenge in the decider after trailing 8-14.
The 25-year-old fought back to level the game at 19-19 and held his nerve in the closing exchanges to win 21-19, giving India a 1-0 lead in the tie.
Satwik and Chirag were then pushed hard by Japan’s Hoki/Kobayashi but prevailed 21-18, 24-22. After taking the opening game, the Indian pair found themselves locked at 19-19 and 20-20 in the second before converting the contest on their next opportunity.
With India one win away from the semifinals, Ayush Shetty completed the job against his Japanese opponent. He raced to a 7-2 lead and stretched the advantage to 16-5 before taking the first game 21-10.
Ayush maintained his composure in the second game and secured it 21-19 to complete India’s 3-0 victory and seal a place in the semifinals.
The result also assured India at least a bronze medal in the men’s team badminton competition, continuing the country’s campaign at the continental showpiece.
