The Indonesia Masters 2026 badminton tournament witnessed thrilling action on Wednesday, with India’s Olympic star PV Sindhu and former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth progressing to the second round, while Kiran George and Akarshi Kashyap faced early exits. Mixed doubles campaigns for India also ended abruptly in the opening round, signaling a mixed bag of results for the Indian contingent.
PV Sindhu Secures Second Round in Women’s Singles
In women’s singles, fifth seed PV Sindhu demonstrated her trademark composure to edge past Japan’s Manami Suizu in a tightly contested match. The match lasted 53 minutes, with Sindhu prevailing 22-20, 21-18, overcoming crucial pressure points with calm and strategic play.
Sindhu’s victory not only showcases her consistency at top-tier events but also sets her up for a challenging second-round clash, as she seeks to extend her run in the prestigious tournament.
Women’s Singles – Round 1 Result:
| Player | Country | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| PV Sindhu (5) | India | Won | 22-20, 21-18 |
| Manami Suizu | Japan | Lost | 20-22, 18-21 |
Srikanth Triumphs Over World No. 22
In men’s singles, Kidambi Srikanth, ranked 33rd in the world, produced a spectacular performance against Koki Watanabe, the 22nd-ranked player globally. The intense encounter lasted 1 hour and 12 minutes, with Srikanth winning 21-15, 21-23, 24-22.
Srikanth’s resilience in the final game proved decisive, saving multiple match points to secure victory. He is now scheduled to face fourth seed Chou Tien Chen, who defeated Ireland’s Nhat Nguyen 21-14, 21-15 in the first round.
Men’s Singles – Round 1 Result:
| Player | Country | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kidambi Srikanth | India | Won | 21-15, 21-23, 24-22 |
| Koki Watanabe | Japan | Lost | 15-21, 23-21, 22-24 |
Early Exits: Kiran George and Akarshi Kashyap
Unfortunately, other Indian participants struggled to advance. Kiran George, competing in men’s singles, was ousted in the opening round by Indonesia’s Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, losing 17-21, 14-21.
In women’s singles, Akarshi Kashyap also faced disappointment, falling to Denmark’s Julie Dawall Jakobsen in a three-set match, 21-8, 20-22, 17-21. The early exits underline the challenges of maintaining consistency at international tournaments like the Indonesia Masters, which features top-ranked players from across the globe.
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Mixed Doubles Campaign Ends in Opening Round
India’s hopes in mixed doubles were curtailed in the very first round. The pairings of Rohan Kapoor & Ruthvika Gadde and Dhruv Kapila & Tanisha Crasto both suffered defeats against higher-ranked French opponents.
- Rohan Kapoor & Ruthvika Gadde lost to Thomas Geiquel & Delphine Delrue, the fourth seeds from France, 9-21, 20-22.
- Dhruv Kapila & Tanisha Crasto were defeated by the French duo Julien Maio & Lea Palermo, 23-21, 20-22, 6-21, after a competitive start.
Mixed Doubles – Round 1 Results:
| Pair | Country | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohan Kapoor / Ruthvika Gadde | India | Lost | 9-21, 20-22 |
| Thomas Geiquel / Delphine Delrue | France | Won | 21-9, 22-20 |
| Dhruv Kapila / Tanisha Crasto | India | Lost | 23-21, 20-22, 6-21 |
| Julien Maio / Lea Palermo | France | Won | 21-23, 22-20, 21-6 |
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India’s Road Ahead in Indonesia Masters-Indonesia Masters 2026
With PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth moving to the second round, India still has strong medal prospects in singles categories. Sindhu’s focus and Srikanth’s ability to handle tight situations will be key as they prepare to face higher-seeded opponents in the upcoming matches.
However, the early losses of Kiran George, Akarshi Kashyap, and the mixed doubles teams indicate that India must bring sharper strategies and more aggressive play in subsequent rounds to ensure deeper runs.
The Indonesia Masters 2026 continues to attract top-ranked global players, promising more thrilling encounters over the next few days. Fans will be eagerly watching for Sindhu and Srikanth’s next matches, hoping India can maintain a strong presence on the tournament stage.
