Badminton Asian Team Championships: India lose 2-3 to Thailand, still reach quarterfinals

Young player Tanvi Sharma won her match, but India lost 2-3 to Thailand in their second Group Y match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships on Thursday. Despite the loss, India moved on to the quarterfinals.The official quarterfinal opponent for India’s women’s team has not been announced yet. The quarterfinals will be played on Friday, February 6.India had beaten Myanmar 5-0 in their first match on Wednesday, finished second in Group Y behind Thailand after the five matches.Tanvi, ranked world No. 42 and part of India’s 2024 gold medal team, beat world No. 16 Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-14, 17-21, 21-18 in a match that lasted one hour and three minutes, giving India a 1-0 lead.The doubles team of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly then beat world No. 65 Tidapron Kleebyeesun and Nattamon Laisuan 21-14, 20-22, 21-11, making it 2-0 for India.Rakshitha Ramraj lost to 19-year-old Pitchamon Opatniputh 19-21, 17-21, reducing India’s lead to 2-1.In the second doubles match, Tanisha Crasto and Shruti Mishra lost 21-19, 14-21, 15-21 to Hathaithip Mijad and Napapakorn Tungkasatan. Thailand then tied the match 2-2.In the final match, Malvika Bansod lost to world No. 69 Pornpicha Choeikeewong 18-21, 14-21, so India lost the tie 2-3.Tanvi vs Busanan match details:Tanvi started strong, leading 9-2 and 11-4 in the first game, and won it. In the second game, she led early, but Busanan came back to win 21-17. In the third game, Tanvi led 11-6 at the interval. Busanan got close at 16-18, but Tanvi won the game 21-18 and the match.