Daijiworld Media Network- Ningbo
Ningbo, Apr 11: The Indian campaign at the Badminton Asia Championships 2025 came to an end on Friday after the mixed doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto exited in the quarterfinal stage. The duo fell short against Hong Kong’s fifth-seeded pair Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet, losing 22-20, 21-13.
Earlier, Dhruv and Tanisha had staged a gritty comeback in the pre-quarters, defeating Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Chan of Chinese Taipei 12-21, 21-16, 21-18 at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium. However, they couldn’t sustain the momentum in the quarters.
In singles, India’s hopes were dashed on Thursday as PV Sindhu, Priyanshu Rajawat, and Kiran George suffered defeats in their respective second-round matches. Sindhu put up a valiant effort against former world champion Akane Yamaguchi, but eventually lost 11-21, 21-16, 16-21.
In the men’s singles, Kiran George lost a close battle against reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand 21-19, 13-21, 16-21, while Priyanshu Rajawat went down 14-21, 17-21 to Japan’s Kodai Naraoka.
In men's doubles, Hariharan Amsakarunan and Ruban Kumar Rethinasabapathi had progressed to the second round with a win over Sri Lanka’s Madhuka Dulanjana and Lahiru Weerasinghe. They were set to face Olympic bronze medallists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik from Malaysia in the next round.
India’s singles journey began on a disappointing note as Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Malvika Bansod crashed out in the opening round. Sen lost in straight games to world No. 14 Lee Chia-hao, while Prannoy succumbed to China’s Lu Guangzu 21-16, 12-21, 21-11, registering his fourth first-round exit in six events this season.
Malvika, ranked 22nd in women’s singles, was overpowered by world No. 15 and Asian Games silver medallist Gao Fang Jie, who defeated her 21-14, 21-8.
In women’s doubles, Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra couldn’t advance beyond the first round, losing 21-11, 21-13 to Sung Shuo-yun and Yu Chien-Hui of Chinese Taipei.
With Dhruv and Tanisha's exit, India's participation in the continental tournament came to a close.