Asian Games Highlights: India men’s badminton team lose to China in semi-final, settle for bronze
India have ended their campaign in the men’s badminton team event with a 1-3 defeat to China in the semi-finals and will take home a bronze medal.
Lakshya Sen lost India’s first match of the day against Shi Yu Qi. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then won the second match 21-11, 22-20 against Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang to level the tie. Ayush Shetty subsequently lost to Li Shi Feng.
Hariharan Amsakarunan and Arjun Madathil put up a commendable fight against the Chinese pair of He Ji Ting and Liu Yi but went down 2-1 in the fourth match of the tie. Hariharan and Arjun lost the first game 16-21 but fought back to win the second 21-17. They eventually lost the deciding game 9-21.
India also lost 2-3 to China in the men's team badminton final at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023, winning a historic silver medal
Key Updates
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India take home bronze
India ended their men’s team badminton campaign at the Asian Games 2026 with a bronze medal after losing 1-3 to China in the semi-final. The bronze is India’s 12th medal at the Asian Games 2026.
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No comeback for India
He Ji Ting and Liu Yi dominate the deciding game to beat Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun 21-9 and seal the tie for China. With the victory, they have advanced to the men’s team event badminton final.
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India have no answers
He Ji Ting and Liu Yi continue to hold the upper hand, with India unable to find a way back. The Chinese pair now lead 17-8 in the deciding game.
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China pull further ahead in Game 3
He Ji Ting and Liu Yi have come out with renewed energy and are now in control of the decider. The Chinese pair lead 11-5.
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China fight back in the decider
He Ji Ting and Liu Yi have fought back to take a 7-5 lead in the deciding game. It is now do-or-die for India.
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India make early move in deciding game
Hariharan-Arjun have carried their momentum into the deciding game. The Indian duo are giving it everything and have taken an early 4-2 lead.
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India take Game 2
The Indian duo have beaten the Chinese pair in Game 2 21-17 to keep India alive in the badminton team semifinal. It all comes down to the deciding game now.
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Hariharan-Arjun keep the pressure on
There are loud cheers from the Indian camp as Hariharan-Arjun continue to dominate Game 2. The Indian pair now lead 19-14 and are closing in on taking the game.
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Hariharan-Arjun turn up the heat
Hariharan-Arjun win back-to-back points to strengthen their advantage in Game 2. India now lead China 17-13.
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India ahead at the interval
India lead 11-7 at the interval in Game 2. Hariharan-Arjun have built a handy advantage, but the Chinese pair remain within striking distance.
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India maintain their advantage
A long rally goes India’s way as Hariharan-Arjun extend their lead to 10-5 in Game 2.
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Good start for India in Game 2
Hariharan-Arjun have come out strongly in the second game, producing some good shots to take an early 5-2 lead over He Ji Ting and Liu Yi.
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China take Game 1
Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun lose the opening game 16-21 against He Ji Ting and Liu Yi. The Chinese pair finally convert their game point to take the first game.
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China close in on Game 1
He Ji Ting and Liu Yi are two points away from taking the opening game, leading Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun 20-14.
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He Ji Ting-Liu Yi extend their lead
The Chinese pair of He Ji Ting and Liu Yi have taken control against Hariharan Amsakarunan and MR Arjun. They have pulled away after the interval and now lead 17-12 in Game 1, leaving the Indian duo with a tough fightback ahead.
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India keep pushing
Arjun and Hariharan combine well after a long rally to win the point. India trail China 11-14
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Hariharan-Arjun keep pace
The Indian duo are taking the fight to the Chinese pair, cutting the deficit to just one point. China lead 9-8.
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Hariharan-Arjun slowly recover
Hariharan and Arjun are beginning to find their rhythm after a slow start. India have reduced the deficit, with China now leading 9-7.
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Hariharan-Arjun trail early
Making their first appearance at these Asian Games, Hariharan and Arjun have made a shaky start in this must-win match. China lead 6-2.
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Do or die for India
M R Arjun and Hariharan A have a huge task before them, of keeping India alive in the contest as they take on Ji Ting He and Yi Liu in the fourth match with China leading 2-1.
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No comeback. Shifeng prevails
False alarm. Shifeng goes on a rampage. Picks up three points in a row, with Shetty offering little resistance. He wins the game 21-13 then jumps to celebrate, almost as if telling the young Indian that he's avenged that loss in April.
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Shetty picks up two in a row
Did he read our remarks, because he's got two points in a row, the last a cross-court smash. He trails by three points still. 13-16
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Shetty has given up, it seems
How many times. How many times has he pushed his shots long today. Shetty looked dejected after his latest error that made it 15-9 for Shifeng. The young Indian's body language suggests he's given up already.
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Shifeng pulling away, leads 11-6
It is a mental game, and the Chinese is winning it. Shetty continues to err. He hit the net attempting a smash and then placed a shot wide. Shifeng is casually pulling away, with the lead now 11-6.
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Shifeng 8-4
Shetty has pushed it long on a handful of occasions in the match and he does it again. That doubles Shifeng's lead. It is 8-4 in favour of the Chinese
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Shifeng is relentless
.. and he is relentless. Shifeng is raining smashes on Shetty. It is not the power, but the precision. Shetty is already four points behind (3-7) and must find a chink in the armour of his opponent
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Shifeng's got a score to settle
Shifeng races to a 3-0 lead in the second game. He's also got a score to settle as Shetty had beaten him earlier this year when they met in the opening round of the Asia Championships.
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Shetty must rewrite the script
In the two previous matches, those who won the first game won the match. Can Shetty alter the script?
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Shifeng takes game 1
There is a reason why Shifeng was World No 3 once. He was riding shoulder to shoulder until the home stretch and now he makes the dash. Shetty has been guilty of trying too much, with a couple of attempts going over. Shifeng takes the first game with a cross-court smash. It ends 21-19
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Shifeng takes lead after a long time
Shifeng steps on the accelerator at the right time. A cross-court smash and another to take him to 18-16. The Chinese was in lead at 4-3 but he had not been in lead since, until now.
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Tied again, 16-16!
Shifeng gets eager as Shetty slips on the backhand. But he fails to kill it, drags the smash wide and gifts the India a point. But Shetty returns the favour by going long and over the line. It is tied again. 16-16
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Power vs precision
These players are not ready to give up. Shetty produces a thunderous smash to inch ahead but Shifeng deceived him at the net to draw level, again. 14-14
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Shetty drops two. It is tied at 13
Shetty was quite casual at the net, gifting a point back to Shifeng. He then misjudged a wide call and it becomes level at 13 each.
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Shifeng fights back
Smart Shifeng! Caught Shetty off guard with a deceptive push. The advantage remains with India, but it is only marginal. 11-10 in favour of Shetty
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Shetty in lead, only just
Shetty had earned himself a two-point lead but Shifeng reduced the deficit with straight smash. It is 9-8 for the Indian
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Two tall men, no dull moment
Shetty picks up a net point. At 6 ft 5 in, he should have some advantage at the net, right. Just kidding. Anyway, Shifeng is 6 ft 1 in and it is not always that you see two tall men in action.
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Attack vs Attack. Don't blink!
Two attacking players. This one will not disappoint. The first game has got off on even footing and it is tied 5-5 already.
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Shetty vs Shifeng is on!
The contest is tied 1-1 and it is match 3. Ayush Shetty is taking on Li Shifeng. Shetty is the young man in form and Shifeng is the reigning Asian Games singles champion. Who will win?
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Satwik-Chirag level the tie
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty beat Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21-11, 22-20 to bring the semi-final tie level against China.
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Satwik-Chirag take Game 2
Chirag rises to the occasion with a powerful smash as the defending Asian champions earn their third match point. Satwik-Chirag convert it to win Game 2, 22-20.
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All square at 20-20
The second game is going down to the wire, with Liang-Wang pulling level at 20-20. Neither pair is willing to give an inch.
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China close the gap
Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang have closed the gap, reducing Satwik-Chirag’s lead to just two points. India now lead 19-17 in the second game.
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China lose their final challenge
China challenge the umpire’s call after the shuttle is called in, but the review shows it landed well long. The challenge is unsuccessful, leaving the Chinese pair with no challenges remaining in Game 2.
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India extend their lead
The Indians are racing away with the points, opening up a five-point advantage. Satwik-Chirag now lead 16-11 in the second game.
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Satwik-Chirag back in front
We are halfway through the second game, and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have regained the lead, moving 11-9 ahead.
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Back on level terms
Satwik-Chirag have levelled the scores at 7-7 in the second game as the contest remains finely poised.
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Liang-Wang raise the intensity
Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang have raised the intensity in the second game and now lead Satwik-Chirag 7-5.
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Satwik-Chirag take Game 1
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty comfortably take the opening game 21-11 against Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang. India are back in the contest.
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Review goes against India
Satwik-Chirag review a call, but the challenge is unsuccessful. The cork lands just outside, and China trail 10-18.
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Satwik-Chirag regain control
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have regained their momentum, opening up a 17-9 lead. The Indian duo is finding the gaps brilliantly and producing some superb shots to keep the Chinese pair under pressure.
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China duo fight back
Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng have fought back, cutting the deficit to 8-10 as Satwik-Chirag’s lead is reduced to two points.
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Satwik-Chirag make strong start
The India pair make a flying start, racing to a 4-0 lead against China’s Wang Chang and Liang Weikeng. The Chinese pair, however, are dangerous opponents and will be looking to fight their way back into the contest.
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Match 2 set to begin
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty will take on Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang next. India now need to win three of the remaining four ties.
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It is over. Lakshya loses.
Lakshya wanted to challenge a call, but he's used up his chances and it is match point for Shi.... and he takes it. 21-18.
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Lakshya misses
... but no. He lets it slip. First he places a shot wide and then gives up a point at the net. He tried at audacious drop, but it just didn't come off as intended. Shi makes it 18-17
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Lakshya in lead. Can he hold?
Shi was unlucky as a cross-court smash clips the net and goes out. That gives Lakshya the lead again, only for the second time in the game. He must hold on to it.
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16-16. Game on
The game is getting intense. Lakshya rightly spotted two Shi efforts going wide and he's picked up a couple of points. It is 16-16. Game on
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Lakshya is making a comeback, it seems
But Lakshya is not giving up. He's picked up two in row and Shi is just a point ahead. It is 13-14 and the Indian must not let this momentum slip.
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.. and Shi keeps going
Shi's also prone to errors as he makes one at the net after picking up a smart point with a stick smash. The three-point lead remains. It is 14-11 for Shi.
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3-point lead for Shi
Just when Lakshya closes in, Shi pushes away. He got another point with a gentle push that Lakshya couldn't reach. Lakshya then placed one wide to make it more difficult for him. It is 12-9 in favour of Shi.
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Shi takes control
Shi's showing his class now. He's making the Indian work quite hard, while looking at ease himself. Lakshya has struggled to deal with Shi's cross-court attacks. It is 10-8 in favour of the Chinese now.
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The game's level again
Shi dragged another one wide to give Lakshya a two-point lead, but the Chinese fetched a point with a deceptive drop. Wait a minute, he's followed that up with a cross-court smash to level the score, 7-7.
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Lakshya in lead
Lakshya takes the lead for the first time in the match. Shi makes an error at the net, immediately after dragging a cross-court shot wide. It is 6-5 for the Indian. Can he stretch it?
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Lakshya bounces back
That's more like it! A powerful smash to reduce the deficit then a net kill to make it 4-4. He's making a comeback, isn't he?
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Lakshya searching for rhythm
Lakshya has not looked his best, yet. In game 2, Shi took a 2-point lead before Lakshya picked up his first with a half-smash.
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Shi takes game 1
No, Shi wasn't going to let go of the advantage as he fetched a net kill to secure the opening game, 21-16
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Shi in control in game 1
Shi has built a lead and is just two points away from wrapping up the opener. Can Lakshya make a comeback.
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Lakshya Sen in taking on Shi Yuqi in the first match. The first game is ongoing with Lakshya trailing.
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