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India to play Japan in Asian Mixed Team quarters starting 7 a.m | Badminton News

India might’ve finished second in Group D of the Badminton Asia Mixed Team championship at Qingdao Conson Sports Centre, after going down 3-2 to Korea that landed them a face off against Japan in the quarterfinals. But they have one eye on the bigger Trophy – the Sudirman Cup later this summer, and might not mind a spot of experimenting, essentially what most teams do at the Asian team events.
Missing out on PV Sindhu was forced on them a hamstring niggle, but shuffling the men’s doubles arsenal – was a choice. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and MR Arjun lost on Thursday to Jin Yong – Na Sung Seung 25-23, 21-14. But splitting the top pair gave Chirag Shetty some rest ahead of what will be a must-win against Japan.
Shetty had reunited with his first partner, Arjun, to drub Macau, but was rested on Thursday. “Chirag needed rest and he will be ready for the big quarters tomorrow,” informed BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra. “In fact we thought all of Lakshya, Prannoy and Chirag could do with a rest day and be fresh on Friday,” he said.
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At this level, meeting the top teams is inevitable, quarters onwards. “We can’t avoid big teams. Have to play them at some point,” he added when asked if India could’ve pushed for a 3-2 against Korea pressing Satwik-Chirag into duty on back to back days, though Korean men’s doubles are notoriously difficult whoever the personnel, in team events.
Against Japan, the Indians will play Takumi Nomura – Yuichi Shimogami in Match 5, and it should help to have coach Tan Kim Her in their corner, who earlier worked in Japan.
The women’s doubles, slotted as Match 4, could potentially turn out most important as Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand, who have won both their matches against Macau and Korea, face Arisa Igarashi- Ayako Sakuramoto.
Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila will open for India in mixed doubles facing Midorikawa-Saito, a tough proposition. In Match 2, Malvika Bansod who had a torrid day on Thursday will look to make amends in the big match against teen Japanese star Tomoka Miyazaki.
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In the men’s singles, HS Prannoy, 32, takes on the mantle of playing Kenta Nishimoto, 30. While the Indian has lost the last two matches to the Japanese ranked No16 in a 2-4 head-to-head career, it will raise a few eyebrows given Lakshya Sen is 3-2 against Nishimoto. However, Prannoy is perfectly capable of taking on the challenge.

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