India Men’s Badminton Team Wins Asian Games 2026 Bronze: Full Match-by-Match Story

India’s men secured an Asian Games badminton team medal for a second successive edition, beating Bangladesh and hosts Japan without dropping a match before China ended their run 3–1 in the semi-final.

By Subham Sarkar • Published: 25 Sep 2026 • Last reviewed/updated: 25 Sep 2026

India’s Asian Games 2026 men’s team campaign at a glance

The campaign was compact but increasingly difficult. Bangladesh were dispatched through three straight-game singles wins. Against host nation Japan, India needed a far more demanding performance, beginning with Lakshya Sen’s comeback against Kodai Naraoka. China then stopped India in the semi-final despite a major doubles victory by Satwik and Chirag.

First round: India beat Bangladesh 3–0

India opened the men’s team event on 21 September at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium. The tie never reached the doubles because Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty and Kidambi Srikanth completed three straight-game singles victories.

The 3–0 result moved India into a quarter-final against Japan, where the standard of opposition and the pressure of a medal-deciding tie rose sharply.

Quarter-final: India beat hosts Japan 3–0 and secure a medal

The scoreline again read 3–0, but this was not a repeat of the Bangladesh tie. Japan pushed India hard, particularly in the opening singles and first doubles. India nevertheless won all three completed matches and guaranteed at least a bronze medal.

Lakshya Sen vs Kodai Naraoka: the comeback that changed the tie

Lakshya Sen lost the first game 11–21 to Kodai Naraoka. He responded emphatically with a 21–5 second game, then found himself in serious trouble in the decider. Sen trailed 13–19 before taking eight consecutive points to win 21–19. The 11–21, 21–5, 21–19 victory gave India the opening point.

Satwik-Chirag hold off Hoki-Kobayashi

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty then defeated Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi 21–18, 24–22. The second game went beyond 21, but the Indian pair closed it in straight games to make the team score 2–0.

Ayush Shetty completes the sweep

Ayush Shetty beat Koki Watanabe 21–10, 21–19. The first game was comfortable; Watanabe made the second much tighter, but Shetty finished the match without allowing Japan to extend the tie. India were through 3–0.

Semi-final: China beat India 3–1

India’s attempt to return to the men’s team final ended against China on 23 September. China won both completed singles and the second doubles, while Satwik and Chirag delivered India’s only point.

China strike first through Shi Yu Qi

Shi Yu Qi beat Lakshya Sen 21–16, 21–18. Unlike the Japan quarter-final, Sen could not turn the opening singles around, leaving India one rubber behind.

Satwik and Chirag level the semi-final

India’s leading doubles pair responded with a 21–11, 22–20 win over Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang. It was a high-value result against the reigning world champions and brought India back to 1–1.

Li Shifeng edges Ayush before pulling away

Ayush Shetty stayed close to Li Shifeng in the first game but lost it 19–21. Li then won the second 21–13, restoring China’s advantage at 2–1.

Arjun-Hariharan force a decider, but China close the tie

M. R. Arjun and Hariharan Amsakarunan lost the opening game 16–21 to He Ji Ting and Liu Yi, answered by taking the second 21–17, and then lost the decider 9–21. That third Chinese point ended the semi-final at 3–1.

What the bronze means for Indian badminton

The medal follows India’s silver in the men’s team event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. That makes consecutive Asian Games men’s team medals for India, an important marker of continuity in a format that tests both singles and doubles depth rather than one standout player or pair.

The 2026 run also showed two contrasting strengths. Lakshya Sen’s comeback against Naraoka was decisive in the medal-clinching Japan tie, while Satwik and Chirag won both of their matches against Japan and China. At the same time, the China semi-final showed how difficult it is to beat a deep team when multiple rubbers must be won on the same day.

Why team badminton is different from an individual tournament

A men’s team tie is built from singles and doubles rubbers, and the first team to three wins takes the tie. That changes selection and pressure. A player is not only protecting an individual result; every rubber changes what the teammates after him need to do. India’s Japan quarter-final ended after three wins, while the China semi-final continued into the fourth rubber because the score was 2–1 after three matches.

Use KhelGuru’s badminton tools

If this Asian Games run has you looking more closely at racket setup and playing style, KhelGuru has practical tools that can help players examine their own equipment and movement rather than copying a professional player’s setup blindly.

Frequently asked questions

Which medal did India win in the Asian Games 2026 men’s badminton team event?

India won the bronze medal after losing 1–3 to China in the semi-final.

Who did India beat to secure the badminton team medal?

India beat host nation Japan 3–0 in the quarter-final. Reaching the semi-finals assured India of a medal.

Who won for India against China?

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won India’s only rubber in the semi-final, beating Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 21–11, 22–20.

How did Lakshya Sen perform against Japan?

Sen came from behind to beat Kodai Naraoka 11–21, 21–5, 21–19, including an eight-point closing run from 13–19 down in the deciding game.

Did India also win a men’s team medal at the previous Asian Games?

Yes. India won silver in the men’s team event at Hangzhou 2023.