Photo via Hindustan Times

Asian Games 2026: Tough draw for Lakshya, Sindhu; Satwik-Chirag have it easy

Following Thursday's bracket announcements for the individual events at the upcoming Asian Games, Indian badminton players face a mixed path ahead. Top contenders Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu both received opening byes, though Sen risks a difficult second-round clash against Loh Kean Yew and a potential quarter-final meeting with Jonatan Christie.

Meanwhile, defending champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty obtained a favorable draw in men's doubles, clearing an accessible route toward the semi-finals before a possible encounter with South Korean top seeds Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae. Additional singles and doubles pairings also learned their initial opponents as competition gets underway on Friday, building on the men's team bronze medal already secured in the ongoing tournament.