India’s spirited campaign at the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships ended on a bittersweet note on Friday, as the hosts went down to defending champions Indonesia in the semifinals but signed off with a historic first-ever bronze medal.
The home side, who had scripted history by defeating former champions Korea in the quarterfinals, could not sustain the same rhythm and lost 35–45, 21–45 to the pre-tournament favourites. Indonesia, aiming for back-to-back titles, will face the winner of the other semifinal between 14-time champions China and Japan.
India made one change to the side that triumphed over Korea, bringing in Vishakha Toppo for Aanya Bisht in the mixed doubles, while beginning the tie with the boys doubles category once again.
The country’s top boys doubles pair, Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu, provided a flying start by beating Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok and Raihan Daffa Pramono 9–5, fuelling hopes of a possible upset against the Indonesians.
Unnati Hooda battled hard in the girls singles clash against Thalita Wiryawan, managing to keep India narrowly ahead at 18–16 in the first set despite not being at her best. However, Indonesia’s world junior number one, Mohd Ubaidillah, turned the tide by overpowering Rounak Chouhan 11–5 to hand his side a four-point lead.
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The mixed doubles pair of Lalramsanga and Vishakha Toppo rekindled Indian hopes by drawing level at 28–28 and even surging 9–3 ahead at one stage. But the Indonesian duo of Ikhsan Pramudya and Rinjani Nastine regrouped impressively to snatch the game 10–9 and restore their control over the tie.
Nastine then joined forces with Riska Anggraini to defeat Reshika U and Vennala K 9–2, helping Indonesia close out the first set 45–35.
From there on, the champions-elect took charge. Mubarrok and Pramono returned to open the second set with a dominant 9–2 win over the Indian pair, extending Indonesia’s advantage. With Unnati and Rounak both losing narrowly in their singles encounters, India’s chances of a comeback faded swiftly.
Despite the loss, the Indian contingent’s bronze finish marks a major breakthrough — the first time India has secured a podium finish in the mixed team format at the world juniors. The focus will now shift to the individual events, beginning Monday, where several of these promising shuttlers will aim to continue their fine form on home soil.a
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