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India’s hope of winning an individual medal at the Asian Games 2026 in badminton ended after PV Sindhu and Unnati Hooda suffered quarter-final defeats in the women’s singles. Meanwhile, Sindhu was not impressed with the schedule as she was forced to play three times within 24 hours.
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Indian badminton star has hit out at the “not really well organised” schedule at the Asian Games after being forced to play three singles matches in less than a day. The two-time Olympic medallist played her second-round match on Saturday afternoon before returning later the same day for her third-round clash, which finished around 1 am local time.
Asian Games: PV Sindhu hits out after QF exit; played three times in 24 hours! ‘Not well organised’
Sindhu was back on court by approximately 1:30 pm on Sunday to face China’s Chen Yufei, eventually losing 21-11, 18-21, 10-21. According to PTI, she said:
“Not really, because the scheduling was not really well organised is what I feel.”
Sindhu, when asked if she had previously played two matches in a day at a major championship, added:
“We literally slept really late and then coming back in the morning, playing two matches in a day. Recovery is the most important priority.”
Sindhu also questioned the absence of Hawk-Eye technology on Court 4, where her quarter-final was held. The line-review system was available only on Courts 1 and 2. She felt several close calls went against her and said such technology should be present for crucial matches at the Asian Games.
The defeat, alongside Hooda’s quarter-final loss, ended India’s individual medal hopes in badminton. The country finished with only a men’s team bronze. Meanwhile, following the losses, India created an unwanted record as the Indian shuttlers failed to win a medal in any individual event for the first time since the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.
ALSO READ: Asian Games 2026: India's hope of winning badminton individual medal ends; PV Sindhu, Unnati Hooda out
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