Indian women’s badminton was given a tough draw in the Asian games. The women’s team led by PV Sindhu will take on top seeds Japan after getting bye in the first round. Japan who won Uber cup this year have the likes of former world champion Nozomi Okuhara, and world number 2 Akane Yamaguchi in women’s singles and they will take on Saina Nehwal (World number 10) and PV Sindhu (World number 3) respectively.
The world no 1 and world no 2 pairs of Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota and Misaki Matsutoma and Ayaka Takahashi respectively will make the way tough for Indian doubles player. The best ranked Indian pair is of Sikki Reddy and Ashwini Ponappa, ranked 28th in the world.
Last encounter
In the team encounter, India last met Japan in the Uber Cup in May where Japan thumped India 5-0 who were without the service of PV Sindhu and doubles specialist Ashwini Ponappa.
Men’s draw
In the men’s team event, India will take on a low-lying Maldives led by Kidambi Srikanth. India will face the hosts Indonesia if they cross the first hurdle which is never going to an easy clash, considering the home support pouring their loud voices of support.
Indonesia has Jonatan Christie and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in singles but their biggest challenge will come from world number 1 doubles pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and world no 9 pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto.
The team events will begin on Sunday(19 August)
Format
The team event will be a knock-out encounters with best of five format- Three singles and two doubles matches.
The draw for the individual event will be declared out on August 22
