India's Asian Team Badminton Championships 2026: Tanvi Sharma Steps Up as Women's Singles 1
In a significant development for Indian badminton, Tanvi Sharma has been named as India's Women's Singles 1 player for the upcoming 2026 Asian Team Championships in Qingdao, China. This decision comes as defending champions India prepare to face Myanmar in their opening match on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. IST.
Injury Forces Team Reshuffle
The Indian women's team has been hit by injury setbacks, with Unnati Hooda sidelined and not traveling to Qingdao. Additionally, star player PV Sindhu is facing a minor medical concern and has not been replaced in the squad. To fill the void left by Hooda, national champion Surya Charishma Timri has been added to the team.
Tanvi Sharma, who recently showcased her skills at the India Open, will now take on the responsibility of leading the singles charge. She is set to face Thet Htar Thuzar of Myanmar in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Complete Women's Team Lineup
The Indian women's team features a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent:
- Tanvi Sharma will play as the first singles player.
- Rakshitha Sree Ramraj has been assigned the second singles spot.
- Malvika Bansod will compete as the third singles player.
In the doubles category, Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will lead as the first women's doubles pair, while Shruti Mishra and Priya Konjengbam will play as the second women's doubles team against Myanmar.
Men's Team at Full Strength
On the men's side, India is traveling with a full-strength squad and will begin their campaign with a crucial opener against Singapore at 2:30 p.m. IST. While top Chinese and Japanese players are absent from the tournament, the competition remains fierce with teams like Taiwan and Singapore fielding strong lineups.
Notable players to watch include Loh Kean Yew from Singapore and Anthony Ginting from Indonesia. India's top doubles pair, Satwik and Chirag, will face a tough test against most of the top names in attendance, except for the Chinese players.
Challenging Campaign Ahead
The Indian women's team is expected to face their toughest challenge against Thailand, who are competing without key players like Ratchanok, Chochuwong, and Katethong. However, Thailand has brought a strong contingent, including Busanan Ongbamrungphan, Pitchamon Opatniputh, junior World Champion Anyapat Phichitpreechasak, and Pornpicha Choeikeewong.
In the women's singles category, An Se-Young stands out as the only Top 10 player present, arriving with firm title ambitions. Her presence adds an extra layer of competition for the Indian squad.
As the tournament kicks off, all eyes will be on how the Indian teams adapt to the reshuffled lineups and navigate the challenges posed by their opponents. The performances in these early matches could set the tone for India's campaign in the 2026 Asian Team Championships.
