Badminton Asia Team Championships Begin in Qingdao

The 6th edition of the Badminton Asia Team Championships is set to get underway in Qingdao, China, bringing together Asia’s top men’s and women’s national teams. The prestigious continental event serves as a key platform for team supremacy in Asian badminton and also carries importance for global rankings and momentum ahead of major international tournaments.

Indian Women Defend Title Without PV Sindhu

India’s women’s team will begin their title defence without two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who has withdrawn from the tournament. Despite her absence, the Indian squad remains competitive and has been placed in Group Y alongside fourth seeds Thailand and Myanmar. The team features young and emerging players, including Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod, along with the experienced doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.

Men’s Team Drawn in Competitive Group

The Indian men’s team has been placed in Group C, where they will face fourth seeds Japan and Singapore. The squad will be led by established singles players Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth. In doubles, the world-class pairing of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will spearhead India’s challenge.

Tournament Format and Schedule

The Badminton Asia Team Championships feature separate men’s and women’s competitions, with teams divided into groups followed by knockout rounds. Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams will begin their respective campaigns on Wednesday, aiming to secure early wins to strengthen their chances of progressing to the later stages of the tournament.

Important Facts for Exams

• Badminton Asia Team Championships is a biennial continental team event.
• The 2026 edition is being hosted in Qingdao, China.
• India are the defending champions in the women’s category.
• The tournament includes separate men’s and women’s team competitions.

India’s Prospects in Qingdao

While the women’s team faces the challenge of defending their title without a senior leader, the presence of promising youngsters offers an opportunity to build depth for the future. The men’s team, meanwhile, enters the tournament with a strong blend of experience and firepower, and will look to assert itself against tough Asian opposition as the championship unfolds.