2026 Badminton Asia Team C’ships: Women’s team set to defend title in Sindhu’s absence; Lakshya leads men’s team- Schedule, Where to watch

India had scripted history by clinching their maiden women’s team gold in the last edition in Malaysia, but Sindhu’s withdrawal has dealt a significant blow to their medal hopes.

With Sindhu not available, the younger crop of Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda and Malvika Bansod along with the experienced doubles duo of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand will lead the Indian challenge.

Unnati, 18, had a brilliant 2025 season in which she achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 23 and defeated Sindhu at the China Open. The youngest Indian ever to win a BWF Super 100 title, Unnati ended the year with the Odisha Masters triumph.

Tanvi impressed everyone at the start of 2026 with her impressive shows at the India Open Super 750 and Indonesia Masters Super 500. While she lost to higher-ranked shuttlers Wang Zhi Yi and Tomoka Miyazaki, her performance showed promise.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Gayatri and Treesa, who defended their Syed Modi International crown in December, will spearhead the doubles challenge alongside Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra and Tanisha Crasto.

In a team tie, the third singles can often be crucial – with Anmol Kharb leading India to the title two years ago by winning that all-important match. This time, Malvika or Rakshitha Ramraj would need to slot in that role. Tanisha Crasto can also provide the edge in the second doubles match.

India will open their women’s campaign against Myanmar on Wednesday before facing Thailand in Group Y.

Lakshya the leader

Sen, the World number 13, will lead the Indian men’s team that also features veterans Kidambi Srikanth and HS Prannoy – both former World championship medallists.

Lakshya had a good 2025, winning the Australian Open and making the final of the Hong Kong Open. Srikanth also reached the final at Malaysia Masters and Syed Modi International. Prannoy is not in his best form but can beat anyone on his day when 100 percent fit.

Upcoming youngster Ayush Shetty will be India’s number two after winning the US Open Super 300 last year.

The doubles will once again revolve around two-time world championships bronze medallists Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who had a subdued start to the season with a quarterfinal and round-of-16 finish at the Malaysia Open and India Open. The former world No.1s will be hungry for success.

Sai Pratheek K, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy and Hariharan Amsakarunan are the other doubles players.

Clubbed in Group C, the Indian men will begin their campaign against Singapore on Wednesday before a tough tie against Japan.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarterfinals of the biennial continental event.

Draw for Indian teams at Badminton Asia Championships

India Women: Group Y – India, Myanmar, Thailand

India Men: Group C – India, Singapore, Japan

Indian Squads for 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships

Men: Lakshya Sen, Ayush Shetty, Kidambi Srikanth, Prannoy HS, Tharun Mannepalli, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, Sai Pratheek K, Hariharan Amsakarunan

Women: Unnati Hooda: Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Malvika Bansod, Surya Charisma Tamiri, Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, Tanisha Crasto

Schedule at 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships (All IST Timings):

4th February- 8:30 AM – India Women Vs Myanmar, 2:30 PM – India Men Vs Singapore Men

5th February- 8:30 AM – India Women Vs Thailand Women, 2:30 PM – Indian Men Vs Japan Men

6th February – Quarter-finals

7th February – Semi-finals

8th February – Final

Where to Watch 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships

The Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026 will be live-streamed on the Sony Sports Network. The action will also be available on the Badminton Asia official YouTube channel.