India’s women’s badminton team made a commanding start to their Asian Games campaign, defeating Kazakhstan 3‑0 in the Round of 16.
PV Sindhu set the tone in the opening singles rubber, brushing aside Kamila Smagulova 21‑7, 21‑9 in just 20 minutes. Rising star Unnati Hooda followed with another dominant performance, beating Alissa Kuleshova 21‑7, 21‑10. Tanvi Sharma sealed the tie with a 21‑5, 21‑10 win over Diana Namenova, ensuring India’s progress without requiring either doubles pair to take the court.
The victory sets up a tougher quarter‑final clash against Japan on September 22, with a medal round berth at stake. India’s only previous women’s team medal at the Asian Games was a bronze in 2014.
For India to advance, Sindhu’s leadership and the doubles strength of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand Pullela will be crucial, while Hooda or Sharma will need to deliver in singles.
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s team will begin its campaign against Bangladesh in Nagoya on Monday.
