India Women Face Uphill Battle, Men Eye Podium at Asia Team Championships

• Depleted Indian women's team, without PV Sindhu, faces a tough challenge to defend its title at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China.
• Young talents like Tanvi Sharma and Unnati Hooda will lead the women's singles, while Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly spearhead doubles.
• The men's team, featuring Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and HS Prannoy, is well-positioned for a podium finish, drawing from their 2022 Thomas Cup winning core.
• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lead the men's doubles challenge, aiming to bounce back after a subdued start to the season.
• India women open against Myanmar and then face Thailand; men begin their campaign against Singapore before a crucial tie with Japan.

Why It Matters: Indian women's badminton team faces a tough title defense without Sindhu, while men's team aims for a podium finish.