India in first-ever mixed team semifinal

India guaranteed a historic podium finish at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships after a thrilling quarterfinal win over Korea on Thursday. The hosts triumphed 44-45, 45-30, 45-33 in a match that stretched nearly three hours, ensuring their first-ever mixed-team medal at the prestigious tournament.

The Indian shuttlers will now face the Asian U-19 mixed team champions, Indonesia, in the semifinals. Indonesia had earlier beaten Chinese Taipei 45-35, 45-35 at the National Centre of Excellence.

India’s strategy in the quarterfinals relied heavily on their singles players, aware that Korea’s strength lay in doubles. The first set began unfavorably, with Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu losing the opening boys doubles 5-9 to Cho Hyeong Woo and Lee Hyeong Woo. But the Indian girls’ doubles pair, Vennala K and Reshika U, narrowed the gap by winning 10-9 against Cheon Hye In and Moon In Seo. Rounak Chouhan then secured an 11-9 victory in the boys singles, bringing India within one point.

However, a 4-9 loss in mixed doubles by C Lalramsanga and Aanya Bisht meant Unnati Hooda had to overcome a challenging deficit in her singles clash. Unnati began strongly with a 3-0 lead but was pegged back to 6-6. With determination, she rallied to level the score at 44-44 before narrowly losing the set after a serve landed in the net.

India made key substitutions for the second set, with Lalramsanga replacing Gobburu in boys doubles and Vishakha Toppo coming in for Bisht. The changes paid off immediately, as Lalramsanga and Bhargav defeated Cho and Lee 9-7. Vennala and Reshika extended India’s advantage, and by the time Unnati returned to the court, the hosts led comfortably.

The third set mirrored the second, with early leads from India’s doubles teams. Though the Koreans briefly surged ahead, Rounak Chouhan’s 11-4 win over Choi and strong performances from Lalramsanga, Bisht, and Unnati sealed the match. India celebrated their maiden mixed-team medal at the World Junior Championships, marking a historic achievement for the nation’s young shuttlers.

India faces Indonesia in the World Junior Mixed Team semifinals on Friday.