Asian Games: Sindhu, Hooda exits cap India's disappointing badminton campaign
India's badminton campaign at the 2026 Asian Games concluded without an individual medal after losses by PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda. The performance marks a significant decline compared to the previous edition of the games.
Why it matters
The results reflect the high level of competition in international badminton and highlight the challenges faced by Indian athletes in maintaining consistent podium finishes.
NEW DELHI: India’s badminton campaign at the Asian Games 2026 ended on Sunday with a disappointing return of just one medal, as PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda bowed out in the women’s singles quarterfinals after spirited efforts against formidable opponents.Two-time Olympic medallist Sindhu went down 21-11, 18-21, 10-21 to Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei of China, while 19-year-old Hooda pushed three-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan before losing 16-21, 21-14, 17-21.The exits meant India failed to win a medal in any of the individual badminton events, with the men’s team bronze remaining the country’s only podium finish at Aichi-Nagoya.
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