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India Women's Badminton Team Qualifies for Quarters Despite Loss to Thailand

The defending champion Indian women's badminton team has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships despite a 2-3 loss to Thailand in their final Group Y match. India started strong with singles and doubles victories to take a 2-0 lead. Thailand mounted a remarkable comeback, winning the next three matches to clinch the tie and top the group. The tournament also serves as the Asian qualifier for the upcoming Uber Cup finals in Denmark.

Key Points: India Women Advance to BATC QF After 2-3 Loss to Thailand

  • India loses 2-3 but qualifies
  • Tanvi Sharma upsets world No. 16
  • Doubles pair wins to lead 2-0
  • Thailand rallies to win final three matches
2 min read

BATC: Holders India women qualify for QF despite 2-3 loss to Thailand

Defending champions India qualify for Badminton Asia Team Championships quarterfinals despite a 2-3 group stage defeat to Thailand in Qingdao.

"Thailand delivered an impressive performance to secure the top position in Group Y - Report"

Qingdao, Feb 5

Defending champions India suffered a 2-3 loss to Thailand in the second Group Y match of the Women's Division of Badminton Asia Team Championships on Thursday.

Thailand delivered an impressive performance to secure the top position in Group Y, while India finished in second place as both teams progressed to the knockout stage of the tournament.

Indian women were off to a flying start as world No. 42 Tanvi Sharma stunned world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in a three-game contest, which lastes one hour and three minutes.

Then the doubles duo of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly moved past Tidapron Kleebyeesun and Nattamon Laisuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11 to extend India's lead to 2-0.

However, Thailand managed to regain their footing in the tie when Rakshitha Ramraj was unable to sustain the momentum, losing to the 19-year-old Pitchamon Opatniputh with scores of 19-21 and 17-21.

Thailand managed to level the tie and force a deciding fifth match after Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra were defeated by Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan with scores of 21-19, 14-21, and 15-21.

In the decisive fifth rubber, Malvika Bansod was defeated by Pornpicha Choeikeewong with scores of 18-21 and 14-21 in a match that lasted 40 minutes, enabling Thailand to secure the tie and finish at the top of the group.

The tournament also serves as Asia's qualifying event for the Thomas and Uber Cup finals, scheduled to be held in Horsens, Denmark, in April-May.

India's women are the defending champions, while China are the reigning men's winners. India's men have claimed bronze medals twice, in 2016 and 2020.

On Wednesday, India made a fine start to their title defence when they crushed Myanmar 5-0 in their first game of Group Y.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The doubles pair of Gayatri and Treesa fought so well! The loss hurts but Thailand is a strong team. We need to work on our lower-order singles players' consistency. The fightback after 2-0 shows our bench strength needs a look.
A
Aman W
Job done, into the QF! That's what matters in a group stage. Now the real tournament begins. Defending the title won't be easy, but the team has spirit. All the best, girls!
S
Sarah B
Watching from the US. Tough loss but congrats on qualifying! Tanvi Sharma's performance against a world No. 16 was the highlight. Shows the depth Indian badminton is building.
K
Karthik V
The collapse from 2-0 is worrying, yaar. We had the match in our hands. The coaches need to prepare the players better for pressure situations. But, chalo, we are through. Hope they learn from this before the knockout matches.
N
Nisha Z
So proud of the team! The fight was there till the end. Malvika will come back stronger. The important thing is we are still in the tournament as defending champions. Bring on the next round! 💪

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