In a commanding display of dominance, the defending champion Indian women’s badminton team launched their Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) campaign with a flawless 5-0 victory over Myanmar in their Group Y opener on Wednesday at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium.
The tournament got off to a rocky start for India as two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu was forced to withdraw due to injury. Sindhu had been instrumental in India’s triumphant 2024 title run, leaving big shoes to fill. Stepping up admirably was 17-year-old prodigy Tanvi Sharma, who wasted no time asserting her presence. In the first singles, Tanvi dismantled Myanmar’s Thet Htar Thu Zaw with a clinical 21-13, 21-16 win in just 32 minutes, setting the tone for a rout.
Momentum carried forward as Rakshita Sree Santosh and Malvika Bansod secured straight-set triumphs in the second and third singles, respectively, ensuring India’s stranglehold. The doubles pairs were equally ruthless. Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra overcame Su Latt and Thet in a 21-15, 21-16 decision, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand capped the whitewash with a merciless 21-8, 21-6 thrashing of Thet and Phoo.
This emphatic win positions India strongly in Group Y ahead of a crucial clash against last year’s runners-up Thailand on Thursday. The group stage format features five ties per matchup—three singles and two doubles—with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. As reigning champions, the Indian women are favorites to defend their crown, while China holds the men’s title. India’s men have bronze medals from 2016 and 2020.
BATC serves as Asia’s qualifying event for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in Denmark this April-May, making every point count in the race for qualification.