India’s Uber Cup Campaign Ends in Defeat to China India’s women’s badminton team concluded their Uber Cup campaign with a 0-5 loss to defending champions China in Horsens, Denmark, on Monday. The match, part of the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026, marked a disappointing exit for India as they failed to advance beyond Group A. China secured their place in the next stage by winning all three matches, while Denmark progressed after two wins and one loss. India’s performance was marred by missed opportunities, with the team managing only a single victory in the group stage. Ukraine, the fourth team in Group A, lost all three matches. The outcome was largely anticipated after India’s 2-3 defeat to Denmark on the opening day of the tournament. In their must-win clash against China, India made strategic substitutions, replacing Unnati Hooda and Tanvi Sharma with Isharani Baruah and Devika Sihag in the singles matches. However, the changes did not yield the desired results. PV Sindhu, a key player for India, faced a critical moment in the decider against world No. 1 Wang Zhi Yi. Despite holding an 18-12 lead in the third game, Sindhu squandered the advantage, losing 16-21, 21-19, 19-21. The Indian team’s struggles were evident in other matches as well. The world No. 1 pair of Liu Sheng Shu and Tan Ning overwhelmed India’s Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra with a commanding 21-11, 21-8 victory. Isharani Baruah, who nearly clinched the first game against Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei, missed a crucial opportunity at 20-19, allowing Chen to seal the win 22-20, 21-13. Tanisha Crasto and Kavipriya Selvam showed resilience but fell to Luo Xu Min and Zhang Shu Xian in three games, while Devika Sihag lost to world No. 97 Xu Weng Jing in straight sets.#india #china #vimal_kumar #pv_sindhu #badminton_asia_team_championships_2026
Vimal Kumar on Lakshya Sen’s All England Open Performance: ‘Resilience the Biggest Positive’ Lakshya Sen’s performance at the All England Open, despite a final defeat to Lin Chun-Yi, highlighted his resilience and determination, according to his mentor Vimal Kumar. Kumar praised Sen’s ability to fight for every point during the tournament, even when physical fatigue and slower movements hindered his usual pace. “What impressed me the most was his intent—he kept digging in and fighting for every point,” Kumar said, emphasizing that this resilience became the defining trait of Sen’s game during the event. Sen’s semifinal victory over Victor Lai showcased his fighting spirit, but the final against Lin Chun-Yi proved challenging. Kumar noted that muscle fatigue limited Sen’s ability to deliver his powerful smashes in the later stages of the match, though he defended exceptionally well against one of the world’s most aggressive players. “It’s a tough loss, but a very brave effort,” Kumar remarked, acknowledging Sen’s opportunity to take the second game but ultimately falling short. The loss comes after a difficult period for Sen at the Paris Olympics, where he missed out on a medal after being in a winning position. His father and first coach, DK Sen, shared the emotional impact of that moment, calling it “the most painful moment for us.” However, they expressed faith in Sen’s eventual success, stating, “We believe in God and he decides when to give and what to give. We are still waiting for that moment.” Kumar credited Sen’s strong support team for helping him recover from the Olympic setback. The Korean coach, along with a dedicated physio, trainer, strength and conditioning specialist, and consistent guidance from his father, played a crucial role in Sen’s resurgence.#all_england_open #lakshya_sen #vimal_kumar #dk_sen #pullela_gopichand
