India beat Bangladesh 3-0, storm into Asian Games 2026 badminton quarter-finals

At the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on September 21, 2026, India opened their Asian Games 2026 men's badminton team campaign with a 3-0 win over Bangladesh, securing a quarter-final spot. Lakshya Sen defeated Ayman Ibn Jaman 21-4, 21-12; Ayush Shetty beat Gourab Singha 21-4, 21-13; and Srikanth Kidambi overcame Jumar Al-Amin 21-15, 21-9. The tie ended after the three singles, so the two doubles rubbers were not contested. The result was expected. India won the Thomas Cup in 2026 and possess one of Asia's deepest men's singles pools. Bangladesh's players were ranked No. 375 and No. 589, far below India's standard. The match offered little competitive information, but it revealed a three-generation lineup: Sen at 25, Shetty at 21, and the 33-year-old Kidambi, a former world No. 1. Kidambi's 21-15 first game was the only minor concern. Against a low-ranked opponent, the veteran needed longer to impose his rhythm. Reports claiming the match lasted only nine minutes are physically implausible under the 21-point rally-scoring system. The doubles pair also remains a question mark: rested but untested before the knockout stage. India now move into the quarter-finals with an untested squad. The real test begins when they face a top-tier Asian team. How they handle that pressure will define their campaign.