India lose to Japan 0-3 in quarterfinals of Badminton Asia Blended Crew Championship

India’s H. S. Prannoy. File
| Picture Credit score: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

HS Prannoy fought valiantly, however India went down 0-3 to a second-string Japan within the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Blended Crew Championships to finish their marketing campaign on a disappointing observe on Friday (February 14, 2025).

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India, the 2023 bronze medalists in Dubai, struggled to seek out their rhythm, struggling a complete defeat in opposition to the 2017 version champions Japan.

Within the opening match, the blended doubles pair of Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto confirmed resilience however in the end misplaced 13-21, 21-17, 13-21 to Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito.

With PV Sindhu sidelined attributable to a hamstring harm, India confronted an uphill activity in opposition to Tomoka Miyazaki, who has rapidly risen to world quantity 8 following her triumph on the 2022 World Junior Championships.

Malvika Bansod, stepping in for Sindhu, put up a courageous struggle, particularly within the second recreation, however struggled to match the management and consistency of her youthful opponent, finally taking place 12-21, 19-21, leaving India 0-2 behind.

All of it got here all the way down to Prannoy to maintain India alive, however regardless of a decided effort, the 32-year-old, returning after an extended break and scuffling with early-season type, could not maintain the stress in opposition to world quantity 16 Kenta Nishimoto.

The Japanese star sealed the rubber with a 21-14, 15-21, 21-12 victory in 1 hour and 17 minutes.

India shall be upset with the loss, particularly as Japan didn’t discipline their full-strength staff, with a number of high gamers absent.